The Productivity Hack Nobody Talks About
When I'm working with clients, I often share one of my favorite productivity lessons.
It has nothing to do with planners.
Nothing to do with color-coded calendars.
Nothing to do with waking up at 5 a.m.
Instead, I ask a simple question:
Would you stand on your front porch and start throwing hundred-dollar bills out into the wind?
Of course not!!
Most people laugh immediately.
The idea sounds ridiculous.
You know instantly you would never willingly throw away something so valuable.
And yet...
Many of us do something surprisingly similar every day.
We throw away our time without a second thought.
If we were going to argue the value of time… most of us would say time is PRICELESS… so a meager $100 in this example doesn’t even scratch the surface of what we’re actually wasting.
The Difference Is We Notice Money Leaving
When money disappears, we feel it. We see the bank account go down.
We track it, we pay attention, we monitor and we use it intentionally to get our needs met.
However, with our time… it's often much easier to justify “wasting” it.
You know….
A few hours spent replaying a conversation.
An evening spent worrying about a decision.
Three days (3 months or 3 years) spent debating whether you're making the "right" choice.
Weeks spent waiting to do the thing until you feel more confident.
Months spent overanalyzing instead of acting.
The loss happens so gradually that we don't always notice it.
But the cost is so much more significant than people realize.
Overthinking Feels Productive
This is where anxiety gets sneaky.
Because overthinking often disguises itself as problem-solving.
It sounds responsible.
It feels productive.
Your brain convinces you:
"I'm just trying to make the best decision."
"I'm thinking it through."
"I'm being prepared."
Meanwhile, you're stuck.
No closer to a solution.
No closer to peace.
Just exhausted.
Time Is More Valuable Than Money
Here's the perspective shift I’m passionate about helping people realize:
You can make more money.
You cannot make more time.
You cannot get yesterday back.
Once your time has been spent, it’s gone.
Yet many people guard their money more carefully than they guard their thoughts or time.
Think about it.
We track our bank accounts.
We budget our finances.
But we rarely ask:
"Is this thought worth the amount of time I'm giving it?"
Stop the Bleeding
One of the first goals isn't becoming more productive.
It's stopping the unnecessary loss.
Before trying to optimize your schedule, ask:
Where is my time leaking?
Where am I repeatedly getting stuck?
What decisions have I been mentally revisiting for weeks?
What problems am I trying to solve that don't actually have answers right now?
Where am I spending mental energy without getting a meaningful return?
Is this a good way for me to spend my time?
These questions can be incredibly revealing.
A Better Question
The next time you catch yourself spiraling, try asking:
Do I like my reasons for spending my time or energy in this way?
Not:
"Can I justify it?"
Not:
"Is this understandable?"
Simply:
Do I like my reasons?
If the answer is NO…. You have your answer.
Let’s step into something new
Most people think productivity is about squeezing more into the day.
Is actually more about protecting what matters to YOU and making intentional choices.
Your time.
Your energy.
Your attention.
Those are your most valuable resources.
Treat them like it.
The same way you'd never stand on your porch throwing hundred-dollar bills into the wind...
If thinking about and improving your own productivity appeals to you- Message me about a FREE consult and let’s chat. This barely scratches the surface of what’s possible!!