You’ve been lied to about how to be productive

Summary

This video explores the concept of productivity, distinguishing between intrinsic and extrinsic types. Intrinsic productivity focuses on personal feelings, self-discipline, and creative flow, while extrinsic productivity emphasizes offering value to others and achieving measurable results. The video provides practical examples, highlighting how different approaches to productivity manifest in various careers, from software engineers to musicians. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on value creation and offers a thought-provoking question: 'Will this help others once it's done?' The key takeaway is to understand which type of productivity aligns with one's goals and values.

Takeaways

• 😀 There are two types of productivity: intrinsic (focused on personal feelings and satisfaction) and extrinsic (focused on offering value to others).
• 😀 Intrinsic productivity is about the feeling you get when you're being productive, focusing on personal values, discipline, and self-expression.
• 😀 Extrinsic productivity focuses on offering value to others and creating something that serves a larger purpose, often reflected in measurable metrics like audience or revenue.
• 😀 Productivity definitions can be misleading if they don't clarify whether they refer to intrinsic or extrinsic value. Both types are valid but need to be understood in context.
• 😀 Intrinsic productivity is about optimizing personal systems for feelings of efficiency, self-discipline, and satisfaction. It can be akin to being an engineer improving the car's design without worrying about the race's outcome.
• 😀 Extrinsic productivity is about creating value for others, and value is defined by the positive change you create for others or the market's response to your work.
• 😀 The concept of 'value' is central to extrinsic productivity, and it can be defined by the emotional impact, the change it creates, or the dream outcome that a product or service enables.
• 😀 Economic value is reflected by external indicators like revenue, audience size, or market impact, which are determined by others, not by yourself.
• 😀 A key question to determine your type of productivity is: 'Will this help others once it’s done?' This helps decide whether you're focused on intrinsic or extrinsic productivity.
• 😀 The concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic productivity is illustrated by contrasting examples like a software engineer coding for passion versus creating a viral app for profit.
• 😀 The OnlyFans platform example is used to highlight the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic productivity, with creators offering content that may fulfill their own needs or provide significant external economic value, but this also raises moral considerations.

Q & A

What are the two types of productivity mentioned in the script?

The two types of productivity discussed are intrinsic productivity, which focuses on personal feelings and self-satisfaction, and extrinsic (economic) productivity, which focuses on offering value to others and having an impact in the outside world.

What is intrinsic productivity focused on?

Intrinsic productivity is centered on feelings and personal satisfaction. It involves focusing on one's efficiency, systems, priorities, and whether the task aligns with personal values, self-discipline, and creative expression.

How does intrinsic productivity differ from extrinsic productivity?

Intrinsic productivity is about feeling good about one's work, often focusing on self-improvement, while extrinsic productivity is about creating value for others and the impact that work has on an external audience, often measured by things like revenue, audience count, and market impact.

Why is it important to differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic productivity?

It’s important to differentiate because the approach, mindset, and goals of productivity differ greatly between the two. Intrinsic productivity focuses on personal growth and satisfaction, while extrinsic productivity aims at offering tangible value to others, often with external validation or monetary rewards.

What example does the script use to describe extrinsic productivity?

The script uses the example of a pop star or a surgeon. A pop star maximizes their impact by reaching as many people as possible, while a surgeon maximizes their impact by focusing on the quality of care for the individual, both reflecting extrinsic productivity in different ways.

What role does ‘value’ play in the definition of extrinsic productivity?

In extrinsic productivity, value is defined by the impact or change a product or service creates for others. It’s about how much people benefit from what is offered, and the more it helps others or fulfills their needs, the higher the value and productivity.

How can intrinsic productivity still be considered productive even without external recognition?

Intrinsic productivity can still be productive if the person finds personal satisfaction, growth, or meaning in their actions, regardless of external recognition or impact. This could include creative expression, self-discipline, or simply aligning with one's values.

What question can help determine which type of productivity you are focused on?

The key question to ask is, 'Will this help others once it’s done?' If the answer is yes, you're likely focusing on extrinsic productivity. If the focus is on how it makes you feel or personal development, it's intrinsic productivity.

How does the script address the concept of economic productivity in the case of OnlyFans creators?

The script discusses how OnlyFans creators provide high economic value by offering content that people are willing to pay for. While the intrinsic value for creators may vary based on personal feelings about their work, the economic value is clear due to the demand and revenue generated.

How do notes, calendars, and tasks interact in productivity systems?

Notes, calendars, and tasks are essential tools for structuring productivity, whether you're focused on intrinsic or extrinsic productivity. They help organize priorities, track progress, and ensure tasks align with personal or external goals. Understanding how these elements interact is key to creating an effective productivity system.