The Anti-Productivity System: How I Got More Done By Focusing Less on Efficiency

I used to be a productivity junkie. My browser bookmarks overflowed with efficiency articles. My phone was packed with time-tracking apps. I had color-coded calendars with blocks as small as 15 minutes. I read all the books, followed all the gurus, and implemented all the systems.

And I was completely burned out.

The irony wasn’t lost on me: all this optimization was making me less productive, not more. Something had to change. That’s when I began experimenting with what I now call my “anti-productivity system” – an approach that paradoxically helped me accomplish more by focusing less on efficiency.

The Productivity Trap

Most productivity systems share a common assumption: that time is a resource to be maximized, that more output equals success, and that efficiency is the ultimate goal. These systems treat humans like machines that simply need better programming.

But here’s the truth I discovered: humans aren’t machines. We’re organic beings with fluctuating energy levels, complex emotions, and a need for meaning beyond mere output.

The constant pressure to optimize created three major problems in my life:

  1. Decision fatigue from constantly evaluating the “best” use of my time
  2. Diminished creativity from squeezing out all the white space in my day
  3. Lack of presence from always thinking about what’s next on my list

The Anti-Productivity Principles

My new approach didn’t happen overnight. Through months of experimentation, I developed five core principles that now guide my work and life:

1. Prioritize Energy Management Over Time Management

Time is fixed, but energy fluctuates. Instead of asking, “How can I fit more into my day?” I began asking, “When am I at my best for different types of tasks?”

I tracked my energy for two weeks and discovered I have peak creative energy in the morning, strong analytical capacity after lunch, and almost no capacity for either after 4 PM. Now I schedule tasks to match these energy patterns rather than trying to force focus when it’s not naturally available.

2. Embrace Strategic Inefficiency

Some inefficiency is actually valuable. Taking the scenic route home might seem inefficient, but if it helps me decompress and transition between work and home, it’s actually an investment in my evening’s quality.

I now deliberately build “inefficiencies” into my day – like walking to get lunch instead of ordering delivery, or taking five minutes to chat with a colleague rather than sending a quick email. These moments create space for insight and connection that hyperefficiency eliminates.

3. Practice Productive Procrastination

Not all procrastination is equal. When I avoid one task by doing another valuable task, that’s productive procrastination. Instead of forcing myself to tackle projects in a predetermined order, I now keep a diverse task list and follow my natural inclinations within boundaries.

Allowing this flexibility means I’m almost always working on something I have energy for, rather than dragging myself through tasks when my heart isn’t in it.

4. Schedule Rest Before You Need It

In my old system, rest was what happened when all the tasks were complete (spoiler: they never were). Now, rest is a non-negotiable part of my schedule – built in before I feel depleted.

I’ve found that short breaks throughout the day, one longer midday pause, and at least one full day off per week dramatically increases my overall output, even though I’m “working” fewer hours.

5. Measure Success Differently

I’ve abandoned quantitative metrics like tasks completed or hours worked in favor of qualitative questions:

  • Did I spend time on what truly matters?
  • Was I present and engaged in my important tasks?
  • Did my work today energize or deplete me?
  • Am I proud of what I accomplished?

The Results: Less Efficiency, More Effectiveness

Six months into my anti-productivity system, the results have been surprising:

  • I complete fewer tasks but make progress on more important projects
  • My creative output has increased in quality and originality
  • I receive more positive feedback on my work
  • I experience less anxiety and greater satisfaction
  • I have more energy at the end of the workday

Most importantly, I’ve broken free from the cycle of optimization that paradoxically made me less effective. By acknowledging my humanity and working with my natural rhythms rather than against them, I’ve found a sustainable way to contribute my best work.

Your Anti-Productivity Experiment

If you’re feeling trapped on the productivity hamster wheel, consider experimenting with your own version of anti-productivity:

  1. Track your energy, not just your time. Notice when you naturally excel at different types of work.
  2. Identify one “inefficiency” to intentionally add to your routine. Perhaps it’s a longer lunch break or a morning reading ritual.
  3. Create a “could do” list instead of a “to do” list. Give yourself options rather than obligations.
  4. Schedule rest first, then build your work around it. Put recovery time on your calendar before anything else.
  5. Ask whether your productivity system serves your humanity or diminishes it. Be willing to abandon practices that treat you like a machine.

Remember, the goal isn’t to get more done—it’s to get the right things done in a way that sustains rather than depletes you.