You don’t need more time - you need to do less.
Thoughts on productivity.
We seem to have a love-hate relationship with ‘busyness’. Apparently we’re all super busy but nobody really wants to be. Maybe what we actually want is to be productive? But even productivity has become a divisive topic, especially among millennials, due to the pace and pressure of modern life. Productivity was supposed to make our lives easier, less stressful and more successful, but instead it’s made our lives busier, more chaotic and less enjoyable.
This is a theme I explored a few years ago when I published my first book, Power Hour. Some called it a time management book, others a self help guide, but essentially the message was clear. Time is finite, so you better be intentional about how you use it. But here’s the thing - my approach isn't about cramming more into each hour of the day, quite the opposite, it’s about being strategic and intentional about how we spend our time. Productivity, when done right, can lead to an extraordinary life of freedom and fulfilment. However, it has become a controversial buzzword because its original intent has been lost.
The truth is, the most productive people aren’t those who do the most—they are the ones who aren’t afraid to say no, to set boundaries and to make a choice. They’ve figured out that trying to do everything is impossible, so they focus on doing the right things at the right time. They do less.
The challenge is not to find more time, but to better use the time we have.
But how can you apply this mindset in your daily life? When you look at your own schedule, how do you feel? Overwhelmed? Yeah, I thought so. The modern world continues to pile on more demands, distractions, and expectations - the pressure to keep up leads most people to burnout. Trying to do too many tasks, not only makes you stressed out but it also makes everything harder. When you spread yourself too thin, nothing gets your full attention, and as a result, nothing gets completed to the best of your ability. Sure, you’re busy, but that busyness doesn’t necessarily translate into meaningful progress. It's a frustrating and exhausting cycle.
As a recovering people pleaser, I’ve fallen into this trap many times. I used to say yes to everything thinking I could somehow do it all. The result? I ended up overcommitted, spinning too many plates and feeling resentful. At the start of this year I knew I had to change my approach to work and life. So I started being more selective about what I said yes to. I stopped agreeing to every meeting and invitation and made deliberate choices with long term goals and values in mind. I stopped doing things due to obligation or fear of missing out, I only said yes to things that aligned directly with my key goals and politely declined everything else. I began to shift my perspective and focused on doing less.
I learned that saying no isn’t selfish; it’s one of the most honest things you can do and it demonstrates self-respect. By setting boundaries and being selective about where I invest my time and energy, I’ve been able to complete much bigger goals. I’ve learnt to say no to requests and demands, even if that means disappointing others or letting go of opportunities that don’t serve my long-term vision.
At the start of each day, ask yourself -
What is the ONE thing on my to-do list today that matters most?
What is most likely to distract me or delay completing this task?
Focus your efforts on what matters most, eliminate the unnecessary, and rethink what it means to be ‘productive’. Remember, you don’t need more time—you need to do less.
Thank you for reading!
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