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The Seductive and Destructive Appeal of Productivity Porn
Some candid thoughts about how the very things that make us feel more in control can end up derailing us, and how to make peace with the messy business of doing.
I write primarily about productivity and self-improvement. I also struggle immensely with both of those things. I have days where my goals are clearly laid out, I refer back to my priorities to make decisions, and I truly get things done. But other days, I wake up, my morning coffee barely wakes me up, and I just can’t get a single thing of value done. I stumble until I surrender to dinner and sleep. I am still chasing that mythical wonder week where I accomplish all of my goals, and get revved up for another 7 days of productive work.
So yes, I write about ways to be more productive, and ways to grow, but those things are so difficult to actually do. But it is precisely because these things are so difficult for me that I write about them, and publish that writing. If they are difficult for me, but also matter that much to me, I suspect the same is true for many others.
I know that many of us struggle with this. Many of us try, and fail, to become more productive, and to be better people. We often see these two ventures as one and…
