What is Heart Centred Productivity?

Productivity on it’s own is a term that became popular when other terms like ‘output’, ‘efficiency’, ‘return on investment’ became important as a way to gauge progress in business. The personal gauge of productivity takes a toll on our physical and mental health, on families and communities, and our own self worth. Heart centred productivity is purposeful and sustainable.

This out-dated form of productivity has a huge cost, is not sustainable, healthy or fulfilling. This corporate idea of productivity leads to burnout, exhaustion, and a 24/7 kind of mentality that makes people seem more important than they really are, whilst underneath they feel lost, disconnected and soul-less.

Less about ‘More’

This old fashioned version of productivity is often about ‘more’. The pressure to do more, be more, have more, work more, be available more.  However, striving for more, and getting caught up in the ‘more’ mentality can leave you feeling empty and exhausted. I know – I’m a recovering ‘more’-ist!

So, I’m on a mission to flip the corporate version, and make it personal – heart-centred. I want to shine a light on a new form of productivity – something that is less corporate, more human.

I’m a Productivity and Life Coach with a Diploma in Life Coaching (Health & Wellness). I’ve trialled every productivity strategy I could find to help me create a sustainable way to get everything done in my busy life.

As a mum and an entrepreneur, self care is essential, and without it, finding the energy and momentum to get the things done that I wanted to left me feeling exhausted, rushing and stressed.

Put simply, all of the things I wanted to do but put off ‘until I had more time’ were the exact things I had to make time for. They are the things that give me energy, recharge my brain, inspire me, and keep me motivated, so turning my schedule on it’s head and putting them first was the best thing I could ever do.

What is Heart Centred Productivity?

Heart-Centred Productivity is a way of doing and being that nourishes you, that makes you feel good, and gives you energy and inspiration to achieve your goals, light your fire and love your life.

It puts the value back into the things you love. The ‘old’ productivity pushed them to the back, and they occurred ‘sometimes, or rarely’. The activities are different for each person, but the impact is the same. Taking the time to incorporate those activities into life first boost productivity, increase focus, build confidence. They are crucial to our mental health, and need to be included in the daily mix – along with strategies to manage time and distractions, improve focus, and find a productivity style that is sustainable.

There are 5 core areas that merge to create Heart Centred Productivity:

1. Mindset – If you consider some of the obstacles to being productive and getting unstuck, they are 99% mindset.  Perfectionism, comparisonitis, unrealistic expectations, limiting beliefs, negative self talk…these cannot be ignored when you want to create a sustainable foundation for thriving that’s built for you. You work best when you follow your rules, not corporate rules set 50+ years ago.

2. Productivity – The practical elements still remain, but with the consistent focus on ‘what’s best for you’.  For example planning, information management, setting boundaries, saying no, prioritising are still valid, just reframed.

4. Energy – Have you ever said ‘Why haven’t I done more of this?’.  It’s usually the things that take up time – like exercising, connecting in nature, or being creative, so they never even make it to the schedule. When this is flipped, you start to value the energy that these activities provide.  This is when your productivity, happiness, focus and sense of wellbeing increase. Self care becomes the key to being productive.

5. Physical – Healthy eating, physical movement and sleeping are aspects of this wholistic approach. As you can see, productivity is not just about what you do at work.

So, next time you find yourself saying ‘I should do more of this’, or thinking ‘I feel sharper now’ after you’ve taken time out for yourself first, or just getting some fresh air, take note, and book it in daily!

Your Next Step

 

 

 

 

Aerlie Wildy is a business designer. business coach and mother based in the Adelaide Hills. I specialise in designing and systemising business for growth. You can connect with me on Facebook, join my Chief Executive Entrepreneurs Facebook Group, check out my Youtube Channel or Pin with me on Pinterest.