3 elements of productivity

When I stepped into managing projects at my first agency, I often felt like I was spinning my wheels and wasting time on endless tasks.

I didn’t understand the dynamics of how productivity really worked in a creative agency.

These three elements showed up again and again, giving me a better handle on my work and life.

Plus, it made me a much better manager for the Creatives I partnered with.

1. Removing Friction:

As a ADDer, I struggle when there is unnecessary friction in my daily routines. Small obstacles seem like mountains, and I spend too much time on tedious tasks.

Friction sucks your momentum.

Instead of working endlessly on a huge checklist, I found that slowing down and spending time identifying and eliminating sources of friction pays back 5x-10x.

You get a few important tasks done. But slowing down helps you clear the path and remove friction from your routine.

2. Clarity Leads to Action:

Most of us grapple with uncertainty and indecision when things don’t feel clear.

And it gets worse when your job is to be creative and you don’t have an idea of what the end of the road looks like.

(This is one way revisions suck the profit out of projects. We keep shooting arrows without knowing where the target is.)

Without a clear result in my mind, I find myself lost in a sea of tasks.

Instead of endless lists, seek to capture a snapshot of the final scene of completing a task.

Tell yourself how that epic victory scene actually looks and feels.

How will you know you’ve hit “done”?

This newfound clarity has become my guiding light, helping me focus on the tasks and actions that truly matter.

3. Unlocking Motivation:

Lack of motivation was my constant companion before. Friction and indecision would zap my mojo and leave me staring at an overwhelming list of stuff.

I struggled to find the drive to tackle important projects.

For me, motivation shows up when the path is clear and the vision is clear.

My motivation bucket refills when there less Friction and more Clarity.

The good news is that even if you’re not feeling motivated - you can still push though.

Once you’ve reduced Friction and Confusion, pushing through when you don’t feel like it is much easier.

Addressing these elements—Friction, Clarity, and Motivation—has been a game-changer.

Have you experienced the power of these productivity elements in your life?

Hit reply and share your thoughts.