Productivity is Paramount: Why Independent Work is Set Up to Fail, And How To Overcome It
As the sole person running the writing productivity app WriteMapper, I think a lot about productivity in the context of doing independent work.
But in this three-part essay, I'd first like to show that they are more entwined than is apparent, then secondly also point out some factors impeding productivity whilst pursuing self-directed work.
Planrow, my task planning app for independent, self-directed work is mentioned near the end, and this essay is very much also the story of its origin.
To start, I would like to make the case that one's productivity, above all else, is what determines your success as an independent worker.
To be productive means that you are delivering substantive, meaningful output, by being selective and consistent with your effort, spending time on the highest-value tasks worthy of your attention.
You have to be spending time on the most important work. Getting a lot of work done alone doesn't cut it if you're really doing work that doesn't matter.
