We all want to be more productive. But sometimes, we mistake busyness for productivity. Jodii Maguire, from, Think Performance Psychology, shared with Leah and Dan how she reflected on her year and realised she had been busy, but not necessarily productive. So she decided to take a step back and rethink how her family used their time.
“I thought I was productive. I thought I was busy and loved what I did. But when I reflected, I realised I was just busy,” she shared. While wandering through a bookshop, she found a section on productivity. This moment sparked a journey to figure out how to work smarter, not harder.
The Three Areas of Life
The first step was simple: draw a circle and divide it into three parts. “One piece of that pie was my health, one was work, and one was relationships. I wanted to see where my time was going, where my joy was, and where I was wasting time.” By analysing each area, Jodii identified one thing they could improve in each. Rather than setting a short-term challenge, she committed to a 90-day plan.
The Power of a Well-Organised Diary
One of the biggest revelations was how her diary was either working for or against her. “I had to look at my diary. How was it serving me? How was it making things harder?”
Jodii discovered hidden stress caused by her calendar’s layout. A colleague had also experienced this issue. “She had everything shaded in red. It made her feel stressed, even when it wasn’t necessary. We changed her calendar to different colours for work, family, and personal time.”
This small change had a big impact. It revealed where time was slipping away and made scheduling more effective.
Finding Hidden Time
Many people believe they don’t have enough time. But the truth is, that time can be found with better organisation. “We always say we can’t find time, but I discovered you can. It’s about applying yourself and creating discipline.” The key is to structure your day, block time for focused work, and stop constantly switching tasks.
Start with Your Calendar
If you’re looking for a place to begin, start with your diary. “Step one: calendar time. Maybe colour-code it. Find the time for you and the things you love—because you will find time.” By making small changes, you can turn busyness into true productivity and reclaim time for what truly matters.
Listen to the full conversation below.