Striking the Balance Between Productivity and Over-Optimization
by max ~ May 7th, 2009. Filed under: Productivity/Lifehacks.This post is a result of some ideas that were being tossed around amongst friends over dinner and then later over e-mail. I wanted to extend the conversation to a wider audience. The post has been lightly edited.
Max: If your goal is to optimize productivity, does taking a few hours out on a Saturday night advance that goal? I tend to think yes, if you use the paradigm of energy management rather than time management. I’ve heard there are scientific articles support this and discuss the social lives of the some of the world’s most productive people. Regardless of what the evidence supports, over-optimization has to be considered as well.
Tyler: I tend to think that optimizing all of your time is destined to lead to burnout and to injure your ability to lead a full life — but I tend to agree that a social life provides a good chance to recharge and recenter, especially when you use that time to discuss the things you’re thinking about. Getting the informed opinions of a peer group can help you challenge assumptions and learn through serendipity.
Max: I agree optimizing can have insidious effects on enjoyment of life if it leads to over optimization. But I think enjoying life can increase your productivity. I strive to enjoy as much of what I’m doing on a day to day basis as possible. I understand life is a process and I’m happy as long as I’m moving in the right direction even though there is always room for improvement. This positive outlook helps productivity because an upbeat person gets more done than a depressed person. By focusing on optimization while being able to recognize what too much looks like I think you can increase your further your goals and increase your happiness.
The way I look at optimizing is that’s important to put forth effort to increase productivity yet have tempered expectations. Optimization becomes over optimization when you can’t focus on the present moment and when you become disappointed with yourself for not accomplishing more.
Striking the balance between optimization and over optimization seems to be an important topic for up and coming ambitious generation. I invite you to share your thoughts on how to increase productivity in a sane, healthy way? I’d like to dig deeper into this topic.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Max I think that you can liken it to SEO – if you overoptimize a site, it’s not good from a usability standpoint. You need to find that perfect balance (like all things in life…) I think the same can be said about people – if you over optimize yourself, you aren’t as productive. As I mentioned on Twitter, I think you should listen to your buddy, Tyler.
May 10th, 2009 at 8:57 am
My best productivity rule? The 80/20 rule. Tim Ferriss style.
While I think Tim tends to over analyze things, the 4 hour work week keeps it plain and simple. 80 percent of your rewards come from 20 percent of the efforts
May 12th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Eighty percent of success is showing up.