Personal Reflection > Another Productivity Tool or Framework
moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach
You can listen to an audio version of this newsletter above. Please note that this is unedited and I’m recording in my home office with a snoring cat in the background (not kidding; he is a loud snorer!).
I’ve said it many times before and today I’m shouting it from the rooftops: productivity is not one-size-fits-all! In my years of coaching knowledge workers through achieving their most important personal and professional goals, I’ve discovered time and time again that the key to progress is the personalization of productivity practices.
When I first started researching productivity, my goal was to review everything that other experts had promised would help me get more done in less time. Some of the approaches did help (hello, Must-Do Method!), but some felt inaccessible and actually made me feel more stressed.
I eventually found my stride with my productivity practice and started doing three things.
I made my goals achievable. This meant identifying why and how a tool was “supposed” to work and adjusting the approach to fit my own lived experience, skillset, interests, and accessibility needs.
I made my goals actionable. I reverse-engineered my personal and professional goals by working backwards from my desired approach and developing actionable task lists and measurable milestones.
I standardized my approach through reflection. To do this, I used a project journal, reflection questions, and planning prompts. By regularly checking in with myself about what was working and what wasn’t working, I was able to discover what truly worked for me in the pursuit of my goals.
Maybe the key to your sustainable productivity practice isn't another tool or framework, but a personal reflection into your thoughts, patterns, and needs.
This process of reflection can be tricky on your own. If you are seeking support in making your goals achievable and actionable, developing an accessible approach to reaching them, and staying motivated through tracking your progress, I invite you to learn more about Perceptible Progress: A Goals Course.
This offering will walk you step-by-step through a journey of self-inquiry, prioritization, and clarity so you, too, can find your stride in your productivity practice. Signups are available through Friday, August 4th. Save your spot here.
Also, let me know in the comments — What was the best advice you ever received when it came to achieving your own goals?
Q&A + Co-Working for July
Paid subscribers of Tending: check your inboxes tomorrow for the answers to the July Q&A and the link for co-working, which will be held Friday the 28th 9am-12pm EDT! If you have a question that you forgot to submit for the July Q&A, feel free to email it to me at Kate@KateHenry.com and I’ll answer it in August. Thanks!
Curiosities
This section of my letters is for things that made me say “hmmm” or “wow!” recently.
I first learned about Slow Living from Brooke McAlary’s podcasts “The Slow Home Podcast” (now “The Tortoise”) and “Let it Be.” Years later, Brooke continues to generously share her knowledge with us through her recent Slow living (and slow-adjacent) resources guide. I’m really honored that Brooke included my Substack in her list of productivity resources.
If you follow me on social media, you may have seen that I do my own nails and I have to admit they look pretty good! I recently picked up a bottle of Death Valley Nails nail polish at my local organic foods store, and now I’m curious to try out more smaller “nontoxic” brands of nail polish.
For Your Consideration
I’m currently accepting new 1-on-1 coaching clients for biweekly and weekly calls (10% discount for paid Tending subscribers).
Follow me on Instagram
Order my book, Tend to It: A Holistic Guide to Intentional Productivity
Listen to my podcast interviews
Take care and talk soon,
Dr. Kate
