Nat Eliason, writer and marketer, discusses the value of productivity and the self-help industry. They explore different career paths, productivity strategies, the challenges of daily life, and the fatigue experienced by influencers. Nat reflects on their declining interest in crypto, new focus on writing a book, and growing presence on TikTok and Instagram. They also touch on the evolution of their revenue-generating course and the tendency to overcomplicate projects. This podcast offers insightful discussions on productivity and personal fulfillment.
Finding meaningful work is key to productivity and motivation.
Productivity tools should not overshadow the importance of genuinely caring about the work you do.
Being present in your work and finding joy in the process leads to flow states and deep concentration.
Deep dives
Importance of finding meaningful work
Finding meaningful work that you care about and enjoy is key to productivity. Having a project or goal that you genuinely care about motivates you to tackle it and invest your time in it.
The limits of productivity systems
Many productivity systems and tools can become distractions or ways to gamify less satisfying work. While they may provide a sense of accomplishment, they shouldn't overshadow the importance of genuinely caring about the work you do.
Expanding beyond the productivity realm
Rather than focusing solely on productivity advice and tools, it may be more valuable to study successful people who effectively share their ideas with the world. Building a genuine connection with your work and finding a way to share it authentically can lead to greater success.
The Importance of Presence and Enjoying the Work
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast is the importance of being present in your work and finding joy in the process. The speakers highlight the desire for a state of mind where you are fully engaged and not thinking about anything else. They emphasize that this state of presence is what many of us seek, rather than simply pursuing happiness or pleasure. The goal is to find work that naturally pulls you in and allows you to experience flow states and deep concentration. They also suggest that finding a type of work that begets this mental state is the ultimate goal.
Understanding Resistance and Self-Awareness
The podcast delves into the concept of resistance and its role in pursuing work that lights you up. The speakers discuss the distinction between creative resistance, which can be worked through, and resistance that stems from hating a particular task or activity. They highlight the importance of self-awareness in navigating these challenges and recommend asking yourself specific questions to uncover the underlying reasons for procrastination or avoidance. They also touch upon the idea of training yourself to love working on something and how focusing on deepening self-awareness can lead to a richer and more fulfilling life.
[Ep. 18] Productivity is sold as the silver bullet to all our modern problems. Do a bit more. A bit faster. Squeeze in that last email. But what if productivity (and the entire self-help industry) is built on a shaky promise? What if it’s just distracting us from lives devoid of meaning or the inability to understand what makes us come alive?
Nat Eliason is a writer, marketer, crypto investor and (former) productivity enthusiast.