The HBR Guides Collection (8 Books) (HBR Guide Series)

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Chapter 26

Sustaining Your

Productivity

System

by Alexandra Samuel

A productivity system is like any other faith: It works

for as long as you continue to believe in it. Let a hint of

skepticism creep in—about the discipline required, the

rewards promised, or the potential superiority of other

ideologies—and the threat of disorder quickly returns.

If you can accept that your system is a work in prog-

ress, it’s a lot easier to keep that threat at bay. Here are

some tips for sustaining your productivity system:

1. Focus on outcomes. Many productivity meth-

odologies are so specifi c about their recom-

mended processes that your zeal for maintain-

ing your folders, sorting your communications,

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