Productivity Myths... Busted!

Surprising truths about focus could change your perspective.

June 10, 2025

This Week’s Feature

Productivity Myths... Busted!

Ever feel like you’re working all the time but just getting nowhere? I used to think that was just part of the hustle. That is, until I busted some popular productivity myths and discovered a way to work smarter without losing my mind. Let me tell you how I went from a frazzled multitasker to a focused, productive doer.

A while back, I was juggling tasks like a circus performer, answering emails while on calls, trying to be an early bird by waking up at 5 AM, and powering through work without breaks because, well, that’s what “productive people” do, right? Spoiler alert: I was exhausted, distracted, and my to-do list just kept growing.

Then I dug into the science behind these so-called “productivity hacks.”

First, multitasking: I thought I was a pro, but studies show it can slash your productivity by up to 40%. No wonder I was burning out! So, I switched to focusing on one task at a time. Suddenly, I was getting more done and my brain felt way less fried.

Next, the early bird myth. I tried waking up at dawn every day, but I’m naturally a night owl. Turns out, research says it’s not about the clock but about working when you’re naturally at your best. So, I embraced my peak hours in the evening, and guess what? My creativity and output soared.

Like many of my peers, I used to power through long work sessions without breaks, thinking that was the key to success, and quite honestly, because I was so deep into the task at hand. But science proves the opposite: taking regular breaks actually boosts focus and energy. Now, I set a timer to work for 50 minutes, then take a 10-minute pause to recharge, and it’s a total game changer.

For me, this was life-changing.

By busting these myths, I didn’t just boost my focus, I found a way to be more productive and still enjoy life. So if you want real productivity without turning into a robot, ditch the myths and listen to your brain instead. Your to-do list (and your sanity) will thank you!

AI Prompt of the Week

Calendar Audit Coach

Why start your week off trying to figure out what to do, and when? Use this AI prompt to optimize your week like a productivity strategist.

Act as a productivity coach and perform a calendar audit for me. Here’s my weekly schedule (paste below).

Review it for time-wasters, inefficient blocks, or poor energy alignment. Suggest:

1. Where I can batch tasks better
2. Time blocks I should move or shorten
3. Opportunities for automation or delegation
4. Ways to balance deep work, admin, and breaks

My top goals this week are: [insert your top 2–3 goals]

My peak energy hours are: [insert times]

I work best in: [quiet / busy / short sprints / long focus sessions]

Please respond with a revised schedule and explain each suggestion briefly.

Featured Productivity Tool

Time vs. Value Matrix

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with tasks. And without some sort of structure, it’s difficult to determine which to do first. This easy-to-use Notion template helps you look at your projects and prioritize based on impact. Download it and start using it immediately.

This is a subscriber-only freebie! Use code VALUE at checkout.

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