We’ve all come across productivity trends that promise to solve all our problems: morning routines, bullet journals, time blocking, you name it. And just like fad diets promising fast and easy results, these systems often work great—until they suddenly don’t.
There’s a reason for this: productivity strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all, nor are they timeless and eternal. What works today may falter tomorrow because your role, your responsibilities, or even your energy levels change. But here’s the good news: that doesn’t mean you're failing.
The Myth of the Perfect System
Productivity methods, much like trendy diets, are appealing precisely because they seem like silver bullets—easy solutions for complex problems. But just as no single diet works universally, there's no one productivity approach that suits everyone. For example, studies on dieting repeatedly demonstrate huge variability: some participants lose significant weight, while others actually gain weight—on the very same diet! Identical twins given the same meals even showed different results.
Those studies on dieting offer a helpful mental model for productivity techniques. A 5 a.m. morning routine might energize someone who went viral on social media, yet leave you feeling exhausted and frustrated. Bullet journaling may provide clarity and control for a season, then suddenly feel cumbersome. These shifts aren’t failures—they're signals that something has changed, and it's time to adjust.
Productivity is a Journey, Not a Destination
We often imagine productivity as a destination—a perfect state of accomplishment and clarity. But productivity is much more like a river, constantly flowing and changing. Life is dynamic, and so are your workflows and strategies. Accepting this truth helps reduce stress and guilt when your favorite method stops working.
Instead of chasing perfection, think of productivity as building a "toolbox" filled with tactics that you can pick and choose from based on your circumstances. If waking up early boosted your productivity for three months and then left you feeling under-rested, that's still a win, even if it’s no longer sustainable. The value comes in having multiple strategies ready, knowing when to switch between them, and understanding that a temporary strategy isn't a failure—it's a resource.
Recognize When It’s Time for a Change
To effectively adjust your productivity tactics, you need awareness. One powerful way to do this is through regular weekly reviews. Take stock of your progress: Are tasks consistently slipping through the cracks? Has your role or your daily routine changed, and your usual methods aren’t keeping up?
A weekly review acts as an early-warning system. If you notice you're repeatedly missing key goals or deadlines, it might not be due to your abilities or discipline, but rather an outdated approach. Whether it's a new team dynamic, different project management tools, or a shift in personal circumstances, recognizing that it's time to adapt is crucial.
Leverage the Fresh Start Effect
Once you recognize it's time for a change, another valuable productivity tactic is using the "fresh start effect." Psychologists have found that we’re more likely to commit to change at the start of new periods, such as New Year's Day. But January 1 isn't the only date you can try turning over a new leaf: a birthday, a new job, or even after returning from vacation can all be helpful milestones for you to kick off a new habit or routine. While many people abandon New Year’s resolutions after a few weeks, a significant number successfully make lasting improvements by capitalizing on these symbolic fresh starts.
Short-term Wins Count, Too
Don't dismiss short-lived commitments, like New Year's resolutions that didn't make it all 365 days, as failures. Instead, view them as valuable bursts of motivation that can help establish new habits or reset your routines. Even short-lived productivity wins are valuable. Maybe you did a daily seven-minute workout routine consistently for four months before stopping. Rather than viewing that as a failure, recognize that during that period, you achieved something meaningful.
At Boomerang, we have tried to instill this philosophy as part of our team’s culture. The guiding principles document that we review with all new hires includes the phrase “better is good,” a deceptively simple mindset. Our former president reflected on this exact attitude in an inspiring speech. Short-term wins are still wins, and they add up and contribute significantly to your overall growth and success. And if you look for an upcoming milestone to kick off a new fresh start, you can compound your wins no matter how long they last. Celebrate these achievements rather than dismissing them simply because they weren’t permanent.
Embracing Change (Like a Buddhist)
The Buddhist principle that "change is constant" can greatly benefit our productivity mindset. Change is inevitable, and our resistance to it often increases our own stress. Instead, approaching productivity with openness and flexibility can alleviate frustration. If your circumstances shift—perhaps a new commute alters your morning routine or a promotion changes your workload—acknowledge the change and adapt rather than clinging to outdated practices.
Tip of the Week: Build Your Productivity Toolbox
The key takeaway from this episode is straightforward: start building a toolbox of diverse productivity tactics that you can turn to as your situation changes. Consider strategies that have worked in the past and ones that might work under different circumstances. When one tool becomes less effective, it isn’t a failure. See it as an opportunity to try something new from your toolbox.
Keep experimenting, stay flexible, and remember that productivity isn’t about finding a perfect silver bullet—it’s about continuously refining and adapting as you find what works and your situation changes.
To learn more, listen to the full podcast episode.