New systems and habits take time to implement. And new habits especially when they sound like ‘productivity’ doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend one’s time. So when should you consider investing time in a productivity system? Here’s an equation for you.

If

commitments (the things you must do) > capacity (the ability to get things done), 

and

the difference is not getting resolved without angst …,

then 

you could use some productivity enhancements. 

Why? Because productivity is fundamentally the system that resolves that imbalance between commitments and capacity. 

Productivity systems and habits work on two aspects of productivity. The first aspect is what we are referring to in most cases when we say ‘I need to get more productive’. We first look to increase our capacity. We try to get more done in the same amount of time. 

The second aspect usually comes after we’ve reached that peak capacity and realize it  isn’t effective enough. We learn to start shaving off commitments. You shave off commitments by doing things such as refusing them in the first place (saying No), or referring someone else to do the work (transferring them to someone else). 

If you have an imbalance in that equation, start looking at your productivity toolset and how to tweak it to make balancing your commitments versus your capacity easier.