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- 10 Productivity Traps
10 Productivity Traps
AND how to avoid them
When it comes to creating productivity, here are the 10 most common problems I’ve seen people fall into.
Which of these show up for you on a weekly basis?
10 Productivity Traps
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To overcome these challenges consistently you need way more than willpower - willpower depletes over time. So rather than relying on getting pumped up you need a system that supports your progress.
Want to know the secret to Limitless Productivity?
Whether it’s Memory, Focus, Productivity or Habits there is good news and bad news.
The Bad News?
They are all skills! This means getting good at any of them will take some ‘effort’.
The Good News?
They are all skills! With the right routines and practice, anyone can get good at this stuff.
The Solutions
We all fall into these. The key is noticing which one has its grip on you right now — and having a way out. Here’s a fix for each:
1. Procrastination
Solution: Shrink the task. Ask: What’s the smallest possible step I could take in the next 5 minutes? Action creates momentum.
2. Managing Time
Solution: Don’t manage time, manage energy. Use time blocks around your natural highs and lows — and protect your focus windows like gold.
3. Lack of Focus
Solution: Create a “starting ritual.” Clear distractions, set a 30-minute timer, and anchor your task to a deeper reason (why it matters now).
4. Lack of Motivation
Solution: Find your why. Ask: What would become possible if I finished this? Tie the task to a goal that matters to you.
5. Lack of Confidence
Solution: Borrow belief from your past. Think of one moment where you overcame something similar. Then ask: What did I do then that I could do again now?
6. Organisation
Solution: Use the 3-bucket rule:
Now
Next
Not Yet
Keep one active list and update it daily — no more scattered scraps or tabs.
7. Perfectionism
Solution: Set a “bad first draft” goal. Focus on finishing something, not finishing perfectly. You can refine once it exists.
8. Dealing with Stress
Solution: Do a brain download. Write down everything on your mind, no filter. Then pick one thing to move forward.
9. Imposter Syndrome
Solution: Flip it. Self-doubt often means you care. Ask: What would I tell a friend in this exact position? Then give yourself the same grace.
10. Comparison Syndrome
Solution: Unfollow, mute, log off — even for a day. Your path isn’t theirs. Ask: What am I building, and what matters to me this week?
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