Attain Optimum Productivity with a Perception Correction

Buck Brannaman may not be a familiar name, but you’ve probably heard of The Horse Whisperer. Buck inspired the movie and conducts equine clinics across the country. You might think someone so successful would stick to tried-and-true methods, but Buck insists on constantly evolving. He says, “Some of the things I did 20 years ago, I would never do now.”

Buck’s perspective also applies to productivity. Optimizing ways of working isn’t about making past decisions wrong. Instead, frame it as staying with the times.

Stop Pushing, Start Having Fun

Keeping current was an increasing problem for Barnes & Noble. They closed hundreds of stores after online competition caused a sharp decline in sales. The traditional publishing industry’s financial model was eroding so fast that they had to do something drastic.

Just in time, BookTok appeared. People promoting their favorite reads gave B&N a clear path forward to prune in the right places. They quickly pivoted, empowering in-market teams with new yes/no instructions. Book titles dictated solely by corporate headquarters? Out. Giving local stores discretion about which books to feature and promote at pick-up tables and events? In.

The gamble worked, and foot traffic and customer engagement steadily increased. What’s more, BookTok brought the cool kids to the party. CEO James Daunt stated, “The sensible thing to do is just have fun in each individual store.”

Challenge Your Assumptions

Like the case study, have you been reluctant to reboot something that was kinda, sorta working? Listen to your gut and use that pause to your advantage.

Take a minute to challenge assumptions, certainties, and what you’ve always been sure was “right.” Then, make a perception correction using emotional intelligence and creativity. Going step-by-step is how to get around feeling overwhelmed or taking desperate, overreaching moves that may not pay off. Align with the times by making targeted edits.

Prune for Productivity Recap

We began the Prune for Productivity series with an idea from Dr. Henry Cloud. His premise is that being productive isn’t about constantly adding tasks—it’s about subtracting. In in his book Necessary Endings, he writes:

“Accept the reality that life produces more:

* Relationships than you can nurture

* Activities than you can keep up with at any significant level;

* Clients than you can service all in the same way;

* Mentors who once “fit” but whose time has passed;

* Partners whose time has passed;

* Product lines than you can focus on;

* Strategies than you can execute; and

* Stuff than you have room for and can store.”

If you’re unsure whether cutting back is for you, consider this: Managing your day isn’t a personal nice-to-have—it’s a marketable skill. Shrewd no’s are the way to reduce stress, avoid burnout, and get more accomplished. So, here’s a recap of ideas to optimize your productivity:

1. Prune Hot Mess Habits: It’s a given that sometimes life gets messy, but that doesn’t mean you have to fall prey to the mistakes you’ve seen hot mess people make. Weight your commitments and understand the number of tasks required for a project + time necessary. If you can’t wholeheartedly say, “Absolutely, those deadlines are a snap. I can do a first-rate job,” then it’s a quick no. (At least for now.)
2. Prune Too Much of a Good Thing: Do diverse interests have you spoiled for choice? Get to a manageable Big Rock list with a quick sort. Avoid exhaustion by putting overflow projects in the “Revisit” pile, others in the “Rethink” category, and the last in the “Long Game” group.
3. Prune Your Network: Every interaction has its time and place. So, give up the myths that productivity relies on either patronizing influential people or icing out fun friends. Find the sweet spot between pursuing stretch opportunities and restorative downtime.

Don’t let your To Do list be the boss of you. Instead, act like the creative, wise CEO of your life—a Soul Boss—and take charge of your day. Apply people skills, like discernment, problem solving, and self-awareness to produce consistent, quality work.