In an age dominated by endless notifications, Zoom calls, and looming to-do lists, staying productive feels like a Herculean task. But, Lisa Skeete Tatum thinks it possible to do manage it all. Below, find her insights on turning productivity from a buzzword into a reality.
The Busy Trap: Why Busyness Is Not Productivity
We’ve all fallen into the busyness trap—long hours, endless meetings, and multitasking galore. But Tatum argues that true productivity is about working smarter, not harder. "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing," she emphasizes. Productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most.
There are four "thieves of productivity":
- Overdrive: When ambition lacks boundaries, it leads to burnout.
- Perfectionism: The need to get everything perfect delays progress.
- Information Overload: Too many emails, meetings, and messages disrupt focus.
- Boundarylessness: Allowing external demands to dictate priorities.
Lisa’s Top Productivity Hacks
To counter these thieves, Tatum suggests practical strategies to take control of your time and energy:
The Ultimate Success Blueprint
According to Tatum, successful people excel by creating systems and routines. Here’s her recipe:
Beyond Productivity: The Bigger Picture
For Tatum, productivity is about designing a life that works for you. "It’s not just about getting more done; it’s about getting the right things done," she says. Whether it’s scheduling family dinners at 7:30 p.m. or carving out time for self-care, her approach integrates work and life into a harmonious system.
By adopting her strategies, you can move beyond the frenzy of daily demands and create a workflow that delivers both results and peace of mind. As Tatum puts it, "Success isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most."