Minimize productivity, maximize optionality

Productivity – who doesn’t want more of it? But listen to this:

I don’t maximize productivity. I do the minimum necessary to secure the basic needs, and then I leave abundant uncommitted time. To many people, this is wasted time.For me, it’s where all the pleasant surprises happen. ~ @dvassallo

I love the counter intuitive nature of that tweet. Being the over-achieving workaholic, it’s easy to try to cram as many things and tasks that I want to do in a day, week or month. Yes, I’m a productivity geek. But his tweet gave me pause.

Is trying to maximize productivity actually—in effect—achieving the opposite?

Because what’s productivity for ultimately, other than a means to an end, an outcome, a goal? And what if we could get there without all the hand-waving called productivity? Or just with the minimum required?

Perhaps putting in the hours isn’t quite the key these day, but amassing optionality, and exercising judgement. With high leverage tools like software, media, virtual assistants, the internet at our disposal these days, it almost feels like the plain ol’ grind might need revision. Seeking opportunities and optionality, and exercising discernment to act on the ones that will benefit you, will probably have more impact than putting your head down and working hard the traditional way, isn’t it?

Sure, there are situations where hard work is necessary and sufficient. But from the perspective of an entrepreneur and indie hacker, and after having gone through yet another overwork-induced, health-related hiatus, I’m beginning to smell bs on the whole productivity industrial-complex.

To be clear, I’m not seeking to be lazy or leech off the hard work of others. Certainly not trying to get it all without sacrifice. I’m just tired of tired old myths about how to succeed, and seeking a different way, a new way, my own way, towards my own destination.

A destination where maximizing productivity has no place. Does that exist? I do hope so.