We live in a world where it seems we’re all expected to create something for output, where our productivity is what’s valued and measured.

However, I believe that our efforts shouldn’t lead to burnout, overwhelm, or frustration.

We are not machines, even though so much of our work culture still treats us like we’re part of a factory floor rooted in the Industrial Revolution. We all have 24 hours in a day, but we also all have different energy patterns, different emotional states, and different environments that affect how we show up. Noise, distractions, and the complexity of what’s happening in the world all play a role. That’s why I want to ditch the word productivity and leave it to industry.

For us as human beings, effectiveness is a much more humane way of approaching our work (and lives).

Efficiency is still tied to productivity and output.

If you choose effectiveness over production, your focus shifts to your emotional state, energy, environments, and especially enthusiasm.

When you feel enthusiastic, you’re engaged—you’re not forcing yourself to do or accomplish anything. Instead of working under pressure from external forces, you’re doing and the being at the same time—you’re in the present moment. When you work to be effectiveness instead of trying to produce, you can see more clearly when things are getting out of control. You can ask yourself whether you’re working from enthusiasm or just trying to create a product.

In a state of enthusiasm, your efforts will feel easier—almost natural—even when things are challenging.

Effectiveness becomes a kind of self-care.

If anything in this resonates, tell me what made you stop and think or what you might want to practice differently.

And if you want to talk about moving from focusing on production to feeling more effective and enthusiastic as a leader, send me a message and we’ll set a time to meet for a conversation.

Thanks for reading The Queer Integrity Dispatch! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit darrenstehle.substack.com