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August 21, 2007
Is productivity contagious?
An article was published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine proposing that social ties can affect obesity. If that's true, couldn't that also be extended to personal productivity and organization?
I was in a doctor's office yesterday and was amazed at how organized, efficient, relaxed and happy everyone in the front office seemed. In contrast, have you ever been in an office (doctor or otherwise) where everyone seems frazzled, disorganized and annoyed? It's as if the mood and behaviors strike everyone, positively or negatively. I wonder, do we start to adapt our efficiency to those around us to fit in socially?
I had someone share in a seminar one time that she was proud to say her email inbox was at zero when she walked into my seminar that day. Another participant shot a remark over at her and said, "Well, then you don't have enough to do." How sad that someone who stands out as productive, efficient & organized would be the outcast. I would not be surprised if the person at zero unconsciously adapted her behaviors to match the rest of the group's disorganization rather than the other way around.
One of the things I love about working for David Allen is that he encourages us to "eat our own dog food." I would do GTD whether I get paid for it or not. I bet anyone on our staff would say the same thing. We really do use the best practices--not always perfectly--but we are all on the same side of the fence. Luckily it's the side I want to be on!
Posted by Kelly at August 21, 2007 11:50 AM
Comments
What advice would you give someone such as the woman of the seminar? Change jobs, are are there any 'tricks' that will make her stay on the 'good' side of the fence?
Posted by: Jeroen Sangers at August 22, 2007 01:00 AM
ACHOO!
I don't know about productivity, but I think I am starting to catch the self-help disease..
Lifehack.org isn't helping either, with articles such as "20 ways to make your life better" and "how to be happier" and everything else they can promise.
Posted by: Geoff R at August 22, 2007 07:57 AM
Jereon--Good question. I suppose like anything that is important to me in life, I have to have my own personal motivation & purpose to make it stick for me, especially if the environment around me can make it more challenging. At the end of the day, I'm the one making this work or not. I suppose the trick I would share is getting really clear about the purpose of doing GTD. For me, it's not about a clean desk and cool labeler, although I'm a sucker for that stuff too. It's what those things represent: fun, freedom, flexibility, focus etc.
Posted by: Kelly at August 22, 2007 08:35 AM
@Kelly: I totally agree with what you say about it being about what the outward signs of productivity represent: "fun, freedom, flexibility, focus etc". I think that's an important point that some people (usually the skeptics) miss when it comes to productivity. It's NOT about productivity for its own sake (though there's some satisfaction there too) -- it's about how productivity enhances the larger context of your life. I suppose that sounds overly grand, but 'tis true!
Posted by: Brian Tanaka at August 22, 2007 09:19 AM
Thanks Kelly
Posted by: Jeroen Sangers at August 22, 2007 09:42 AM
I agree 100% with the idea that productivity is contagious. The fact one person is productive surely assumes that they will influence those around them in a way to increase their productivity.
Posted by: Jeffrey at August 25, 2007 03:38 PM
I agree that our team can have an effect on our own productivity. Knowing this, the next step seems to be to consciously choose the people who are around us or who we spend time with.
Posted by: Mike at August 25, 2007 07:47 PM
Kelly, That person's comment sure sounds like sour grapes to me. (My business partner and my husband always start each day with an inbox at "ground zero". I'm always completely envious. Rather than trying in vain to organize my history first, I think I need to dump the entire 7K emails in my inbox, and start from scratch!) But to outwardly criticize someone's organizational skills could come only from a place of envy - that person should be ashamed for that comment! I hope you put them in their place...
Posted by: Michelle at August 26, 2007 09:25 AM
Kelly, I agree that it is sad that the disorganized woman "shot down" the productive person. However, we all have moments or periods of being overwhelmed. This lady might be in the midst of a major assignment at work. She might have issues with family or friends that are distracting her. She might also have personal issues that are weighing on her. It might go deeper than just a dislike of someone being organized.
Posted by: Jones Loflin at September 17, 2007 05:04 AM
