25. You don’t have to be more productive (really)

This month, something very strange happened to me. I found myself researching a biz-bro productivity hack for writers... and actually wanting to try it.

How did this come to pass? In these manically trying times, it’s been feeling especially hard to avoid getting flooded with information and content – to actually integrate what I’m taking in, instead of being swept up. And ironically, this productivity system might be a way to do just that.

So, does this mean my long-running, deep-seated distrust of creative productivity culture may be misguided? Am I going to pivot to being a prolific, write-and-post-every-day kind of writer? Meh, I still don’t think so.

I think the line between expression and noise comes down to two concepts that sound similar, but are ultimately opposed: “next actions” and “next right things.” And it’s very easy to mistake one for the other.

But when you get it right, you unlock the potential to reclaim what’s truly meaningful to you (no productivity system needed).

Writing praxis tips

In the spirit of avoiding information overload, I’m keeping this month’s tip short. Read on for some practical ideas for using quick bursts of creative expression during your day to disrupt dysregulation before it starts spiraling.

Most of us aren’t particularly great at noticing when we’re beginning to reach a state of overload. (I know I’m certainly not... or at least, I’m not particularly great at doing anything about it.) So my first suggestion is to try actively scheduling moments to check in with yourself. This can be “scheduling” in the literal sense, or in a more flexible way if that’s not really how your brain and/or life works.

If you are a scheduling type, stick a couple daily reminders in your calendar, or set alarms on your phone. If you need a less structured approach, try putting a note for yourself in a place you go a couple times a day (ideally a place where you’ll feel able to actually do 2-5 minutes of quick creative expression).

And for my second suggestion, here’s a (by no means exhaustive, sort of silly) list of things to play with when you do take your breaks:

dance or stim
doodle
fold some origami
write three short lines of poetry
sing or hum the first song that pops in your head
braid some colorful string
make a note of something to write about later
mold something out of playdough or modeling clay
make a mood board
grab some junk mail and make a cut-up/blackout poem or a collage (or both!)
if your break coincides with a meal or snack, make your food pretty before you eat it

Episode references

Bob Doto

“Information Dysregulation: This New Term is Changing Everything,” Taylor Heaton (YouTube)

“Do the Next Right Thing: Carl Jung on How to Live,” Maria Popova, The Marginalian

“Slow productivity is a team sport: A critique of Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity,” Meredith Farkas, Information Wants to be Free