Productive

I am not willing to let a day go by without getting something done. Yes, that’s the “achiever” in me speaking. I call it being productive. Every day starts with zero. When I accomplish something it gets checked off my list (and if it wasn’t on my list, I’ll add it just to check it off the list.) Getting things done fuels me. It’s not that I don’t rest, I simply have to think of rest as something I am accomplishing.

This is both a need I have and something I offer to others. Here’s what Webster¹ has to say about the word productive:

“1: having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance

2: effective in bringing about productive of much good — R. K. Carr

3a: yielding results, benefits, or profits

3b: yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities

4: continuing to be used in the formation of new words or constructions

5: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi) productive cough”

Let me be clear, getting things done is not the end goal. Combined with my other talents, being productive is about leadership.

Have I communicated to my team?
Have I set the stage for what is next?
Have I answered questions and provided clarity on our upcoming goals?

I won’t waste your time, energy, or efforts on meetings that don’t need to take place. I will likely be focused to a fault and if you get off track, I may get a bit frustrated. Together, we can get back to where we need to be.

Whether the accomplishments are simple or complex doesn’t really matter. I could be taking out the trash, making my bed, putting away dishes, or planning a 30 day writing challenge. What does matter is we getting something done. There is a point to everything I do. So, if the point is to be together, say it. I won’t get frustrated by it, it helps me to know we’ve accomplished something.

You could say the raw form of my strength is impatient. Or you could say the developed form of my talent is driven. If there is a time work appears more important than people, please call me aside and talk to me. We likely have a different perspective on what is happening. People are always more important. I may have been lost in the moment.

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1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/productive

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