The Productivity Paradox
Why Doing Less Can Actually Get You More
TL;DR
Spoiler: Hustle culture is overrated.
Big Idea: Strategic "unproductivity" is the secret weapon of high performers.
Action Step: Try my “Do-Less-But-Better” challenge this week (details below).
Let’s Get Real: The Productivity Guilt Spiral
If you’ve ever opened your calendar, groaned at the color-coded chaos, and thought, “How is it only Tuesday?”—welcome to the club. Last week, I debunked the myth of work-life balance; this week, I want to tackle its equally sneaky cousin: the Productivity Paradox.
Here’s the trap: We believe the more we do, the more we achieve. But if you’re anything like me—a recovering overachiever with a penchant for 37-item to-do lists—you know that more “doing” often means more burnout, less joy, and (ironically) less actual progress.
The Paradox, Explained
Let’s borrow a page from my MBA playbook: the Law of Diminishing Returns. In plain English: After a certain point, each extra hour or task delivers less value than the one before. You can grind through a 12-hour day, but by hour ten, you’re probably just doomscrolling LinkedIn and pretending it’s “networking.”
What’s wild is that the most successful people I know (clients, execs, creators, and frazzled parents) aren’t doing more—they’re doing less, but with ruthless intention. They protect their best energy for what actually matters, and they let the rest go.
The “Do-Less-But-Better” Framework
Let’s make this concrete. Here’s how I’m applying the “Do-Less-But-Better” approach in my own life and business:
1. Ruthless Prioritization
Each Sunday, I pick my top three outcomes for the week (not tasks—outcomes).
Everything else becomes “nice to have,” not “must do.”
2. Time Blocking for Focus
I schedule 60-90-minute deep work blocks for my most important project (usually my day-job goals, content, sometimes just meal planning — no shame).
I defend these blocks like a mama bear with a double espresso.
3. Strategic Unproductivity
I build in “buffer” time for thinking, walking, or staring out the window.
This is not laziness. This is when my best ideas (and recipes) show up, and negates context-switching.
4. Radical Acceptance
Some weeks, the only thing I “produce” is a decent dinner and a clean inbox. That’s enough.
Your Challenge: The “Do-Less-But-Better” Week
Want to try it with me? Here’s your challenge:
Pick three outcomes for the week. Write them down—physically, digitally, tattoo them on your forearm (okay, maybe not).
Block out time each day for just one of those outcomes. Treat it as sacred.
Say no to one thing that doesn’t serve your top three. Yes, even if it’s “just a quick call.”
Share your results—reply, comment or tag me with what you learned (and how it felt to do less).
Audience Question of the Week
"Jenn, how do I know if I’m being lazy or just strategically unproductive?"
Great question. Here’s my take: If you’re avoiding work out of fear or procrastination, that’s avoidance. If you’re intentionally choosing to rest, reflect, or recharge so you can focus on what matters, that’s strategy. The difference is intention.
Quick Win: My Favorite “Unproductive” Ritual
I end every Friday with a “shutdown” walk—no phone, no podcasts, just me and my thoughts. It’s the least productive hour of my week, and also, arguably, the most valuable.
Real Life in Action—Practicing What I Preach
Before we close for the week, I want to let you in on something personal: I’m about to take my own advice, unapologetically.
For the next two weeks, I’ll be stepping away from the daily grind—and yes, even from this newsletter—to go on an adventure-travel vacation with my teen daughter to Costa Rica. We’re prioritizing memories over meetings, presence over productivity hacks, and real connection over relentless hustle. In other words: I’m living the “Do-Less-But-Better” mantra, not just preaching it.
I’m looking forward to unplugging from most of my tech, finally breaking in my new passport, and challenging myself with new (and not-so-new) experiences like: white water river rafting, horseback riding, ziplining, bike ride around a volcano, night jungle walk, visiting a chocolate farm, and hopefully a little sitting-by-the-pool and beach time.
It’s not every day that a 14-year-old actually wants to spend time with her mother, and it may not last, so this time away and together means the world to me.
If you notice Productive AF landing in your inbox a little less frequently, now you know why. This is intentional, and it’s a direct reflection of the boundary-setting and prioritization I encourage every week. I’ll be back, recharged and full of new stories (and probably a few travel mishaps) to share—ready to dive back into helping you build a life and business that works for you.
In the meantime, I encourage you to find your own moments of strategic unproductivity. Take a walk. Close your laptop. Or, like me, say yes to an adventure that can’t be rescheduled.
Stay Productive AF (on your own terms),
Jennifer
P.S. 🌟 Stay Connected While I’m Away! 🌟
I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes moments, travel insights, and honest reflections from my adventure with my daughter on Instagram and all the other social networks over the next two weeks.
I’d love to hear from you, too:
If you’re taking your own break, testing the “Do-Less-But-Better” challenge, or embarking on a summer adventure, hit reply or tag me in your posts. Share your stories, wins, or even your struggles—I’ll be checking in when I can, and may feature a few of your experiences in a future newsletter.
Let’s keep each other inspired, even while we’re unplugged!
P.P.S. If you found this helpful, forward it to a friend or subscribe for more. Your support keeps this solo creator caffeinated and inspired.