Addicted To Pace And Productivity?

Every time you tick off a task, fire off an email, or solve a problem, you get a satisfying little dopamine hit.

It feels good. You’re flying through that to-do list at warp speed. Productivity looks and feels great.

And - it’s addictive.

We’re hardwired to chase rewards and avoid the tasks that feel ambiguous or mentally taxing. The small, immediate wins are easy, clear, and gratifying.

The big-picture work, deeper conversations and longer-term planning? Not so much.

We put them off, knowing full well it's what will be truly transformative.

So why do we keep pushing them back?

Deep, impactful work takes a different sort of energy. A different gear with a calmer, considered pace. And because it doesn’t come with that same buzz of urgency, it can feel indulgent. Even lazy.

It follows that it takes deliberate effort to get into the right mindset and give yourself the permission to focus on the big rocks.

Some strategies that have worked for me and others to shift gears:

• Change your environment. Work from home, a quiet café, or a meeting room with no interruptions.

• Go for a walk and record voice notes to capture ideas.

• Turn off all notifications. Set a timer and go.

• Start with sketches or visual maps to open your thinking.

• Use pen and paper, or a whiteboard. Typing just doesn’t activate the same creativity.

• Partner with a colleague or coach. Set goals for the time and hold each other to account.

How do you find the space and pace for the important over the urgent?