Redefining Productivity (So It Actually Supports You)

If you’re feeling burnt out by endless To Do lists, it might be time to start redefining productivity. This post offers a gentler, more meaningful way to measure progress—one that works with your life, not against it.

WHAT DOES PRODUCTIVITY MEAN TO YOU?

I used to think being productive meant crossing everything off my To Do list. The more I did, the better I felt… until I didn’t. Because somewhere along the way, productivity stopped feeling empowering and started feeling exhausting.

I was constantly busy but never really satisfied. And instead of feeling accomplished, I felt behind, burnt out, and like I was chasing a version of success that didn’t even belong to me.

5 WAYS TO START REDEFINING PRODUCTIVITY IN YOUR OWN LIFE

If you’ve ever felt the same, in today’s article I want to gently suggest something:

Maybe it’s not you that needs fixing. Maybe it’s your definition of productivity that needs a little refresh.

Here are 5 ways to explore redefining productivity for yourself.

1. Where Did Your Definition of Productivity Come From?

So many of us grow up believing productivity equals worth. That we have to earn our rest. That a full calendar is a badge of honour. These ideas sneak in from school, work, social media—even well-meaning friends and family.

• If you do your homework first, then you can watch TV.
• If I do the housework first, then I can relax.

But if your current definition leaves you feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, or constantly behind, it might be time to come up with a new definition.

Ask yourself:

• Who taught me what it means to be productive? Am I following someone else’s example?
• Is that definition still serving me—or just stressing me out?

2. Productivity Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Here’s something I wish I’d learned years ago: Productivity can look different for different people, and even for the same person on different days.

For me on some days, being productive might mean getting up early to write a blog post, doing a full day in the office, planning meals and running my kids around. Other days, it might mean taking a nap, getting outside for a walk, or saying no to something that drains me.

You’re allowed to decide what a productive day looks like for you—based on your values, energy, and priorities—not someone else’s checklist.

3. Purpose Makes Productivity Feel Better

When I started asking myself not just “What do I need to do?” but “Why does this matter?”—everything changed.

Purposeful productivity isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters most. It’s making decisions based on your life, not just your list.

Try this simple shift:

Instead of filling your day with tasks, choose 1–3 things that feel meaningful, helpful, or aligned with the season you’re in.

You don’t have to earn your rest. You just need to live with intention.

4. Rest Is Not a Reward—It’s Part of the Process

Let me say this clearly, as a reminder to myself as much as to you… Rest is productive.

It fuels your focus, your creativity, your patience, and your ability to show up for yourself and others. But in a world that celebrates busyness, rest can feel… guilty.

Please don’t wait until you’ve reached breaking point to give yourself permission to pause. Instead, build rest into your rhythm:

• A quiet moment before the day starts
• A midday walk without your phone
• A slow evening with no pressure to “achieve”
• Learn how to switch off and quieten your busy mind

Doing less doesn’t make you lazy—it makes you human.

5. Redefine What ‘Done’ Looks Like

Sometimes we measure our worth by what we tick off the list. But the truth is, not all wins are visible.

Showing up for someone. Getting out of bed on a hard day. Making a nourishing meal. Saying no to something that would’ve stretched you too thin.

Those things count too.

So maybe we stop measuring our productivity by how much we’ve done, and start asking:

Did I honour what I needed today?

I think that’s a far more compassionate—and sustainable—way to measure progress.

A PERSONAL EXAMPLE

Lately, my most productive days haven’t been the ones where I ticked off every task. They’ve been the days I felt present. The days I had a little space to breathe. The days I listened to what I needed, not just what I thought I should do.

That’s the version of productivity I want to hold onto. One that serves my life, not controls it.

And I hope you’ll consider holding onto it too.

If you enjoyed this article and it’s got you thinking what productivity looks and feels like in your life, I’d love to help you. Simple Productivity is a workbook and planner to help you explore where and how you spend your time. Click here to learn more.

HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ON REDEFINING PRODUCTIVITY

Does what I’ve shared sound good in theory but difficult in practice? Here are some tips and common questions.

1. What if I feel lazy when I’m not constantly doing something?

You’re not lazy. You’re likely tired, overwhelmed, or stuck in someone else’s version of success. Resting or slowing down isn’t a failure—it’s often exactly what your body and mind need to move forward with clarity.

2. Can I still be ambitious and want a simpler definition of productivity?

Absolutely. Ambition doesn’t have to mean burnout. You can pursue your goals with focus and energy without running yourself into the ground. In fact, a more intentional approach often helps you reach them more sustainably.

3. How do I deal with guilt around not doing enough?

Start by noticing where the guilt comes from. Is it comparison? Pressure? Habit? Then gently remind yourself: your worth is not tied to how much you accomplish. Progress isn’t always visible, and “enough” is allowed to look different every day.

4. What’s one small way I can start redefining productivity today?

Choose one meaningful task that matters to you today. Let go of the rest. You don’t have to do it all—just do what feels right for you in this season. That’s productivity with purpose, not productivity for the sake of it.

CONCLUSION

You’re allowed to rewrite the rules and to change your definition of productivity as time goes by.

You’re allowed to slow down. It’s not weak and it’s not a sign of failure.

You’re allowed to create a life that feels aligned, intentional, and full of what matters most.

Your definition of productivity doesn’t need to be overwhelming or exhausting.

It just needs to work for you.

And if today’s version of productivity is simply reading this post and taking a deep breath—you’re already doing enough. Now… breathe.

What about you? Do you need to think about redefining productivity in your own life? How do you measure productivity at the moment? Does it feel right or too pressured? Let me know in the comments as I’d love to hear from you!

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Here are some more articles on purposeful productivity which you might enjoy:

• Feel-Good Productivity: 10 Tips to Get Stuff Done Without Feeling Miserable
• 10 Ways to Avoid Wearing Busy as a Badge of Honour
• Simple Routines That Save Me Hours Every Week (and Reduce Mental Load)

GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE

Earlier in this article I talked about rest with no pressure to achieve.

One way to do this is to have a simple evening routine that combines a little bit of what you NEED to do with a little bit of what you WANT to do.

If your evenings need a little overhaul and more peace and less to do, why not get your copy of my free Evening Routine Checklist?

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