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

  1. Procrastination

  2. Managing time

  3. Lack of focus

  4. Lack of motivation

  5. Lack of confidence

  1. Organisation

  2. Perfectionism

  3. Dealing with stress

  4. Imposter syndrome

  5. Comparison syndrome

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?

Want to up your game?

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Start your journey to overcoming those productivity traps.

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