Personal Productivity
Productivity Begins with Elimination, Not Addition
AUTHOR: María Sáez
Each new year arrives loaded with resolutions. Learn a new language, exercise more, read more books, develop a personal project… The list grows and grows, fueled by the excitement of becoming better versions of ourselves. But there’s a problem: our attention span and energy are limited, and as we continue to add commitments to our lives, we rarely stop to ask ourselves what we should eliminate.
The paradox of modern productivity is that, often, being more productive doesn’t mean doing more, but doing less. True personal productivity isn’t measured by the number of tasks completed, but by our ability to achieve maximum results with minimum effort. And that inevitably requires knowing how to say no.
The transformative power of purpose
Here’s the crux of the matter: how do you decide which activities to eliminate and which to keep? The answer isn’t found in time management techniques or more sophisticated productivity apps. It lies in something much more fundamental: having absolute clarity about your purpose.
When you know your purpose precisely, every decision becomes easier. Having a clear purpose consistently predicts how people do their work. It’s like having a lighthouse guiding you through the fog: it doesn’t remove the obstacles, but it clearly shows you the way forward. On the other hand, when there’s no clear purpose, motivation fades and cooperation with others deteriorates. We end up saying yes to everything, and every new opportunity feels as valid as the last.
A higher level of clarity enables people to progress. Not because they work extra hours or put in more effort, but because they focus their energy on what truly matters.
Your essential goal: the compass that changes everything
In his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg McKeown introduces the concept of the essential goal as a personal alternative to traditional business definitions of vision and mission. An essential goal is unique: it is both motivational and concrete, both meaningful and measurable. It is not a vague aspiration such as “being happy” or “being successful,” but rather a clear statement that combines inspiration with specificity.
The most powerful thing about a well-defined essential goal is that it becomes a decision that lays the foundation for a thousand subsequent decisions. Think of it as an automatic filter for your life: every time a new opportunity, request, or temptation arises, you can instantly evaluate it against your core purpose. Does it bring you closer to it? Go for it. Does it distract you or keep you stuck? It’s time to say no.
This concept has a direct parallel with what David Allen describes in Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, referring to purpose as something that gives meaning and direction to your life. In the GTD methodology, purpose occupies the highest level of perspective, and from there, all other decisions become coherent.
The challenge of definition
Let’s be honest: defining your core purpose is no easy task. It’s not something you can do on a rainy afternoon over coffee. It requires asking difficult questions, the ones you’d rather avoid. What do I truly value? What impact do I want to have on the world? What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve it?
It also requires making real concessions. Accepting that you can’t have it all, that choosing one path means giving up others, no matter how attractive they may seem. And the hardest thing of all: applying real discipline to set aside those other “priorities” that constantly distract you from your true goal.
But here’s the reward: once you have clarity about your essential purpose, the noise dissipates. Decisions that once paralyzed you become obvious. The guilt of saying no disappears. And you discover that you have more time, more energy, and more mental space to focus on what genuinely matters.
Start the year by eliminating
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to try a different exercise. Instead of adding more resolutions to your list, take the time to identify all the activities, commitments, and responsibilities that are not aligned with what you really want to achieve.
Review your calendar from the last few months. Go through your project lists. Be honest with yourself: how many of these things are bringing you closer to your main goal? How many do you do out of habit, social obligation, or simply because you once thought you should do them?
True productivity, the kind that leads to a more fulfilling life, begins with subtraction, not addition. Start by eliminating.
2 comments
This is a brilliant idea for the start of the year! And Happy New Year to you!
This is a brilliant idea for the start of the year! And Happy New Year to you!
Hi, Olga!
We're glad you find value in our work. Happy New Year to you too!
Hi, Olga!
We're glad you find value in our work. Happy New Year to you too!