Why Clarity is more important than Productivity

I hesitated before publishing this article because it’s still part of my personal development journey. But as many of you who follow this blog know, I’ve been on this path for five years, and it feels right to share it here. I used to be obsessed with productivity—constantly searching for ways to improve it. Then, last year, I stumbled upon something more important than productivity: clarity. Without clarity about what you genuinely want, productivity becomes meaningless.

You have to be clear about your goals first, set your priorities, and only then start applying productivity strategies. That’s when things will fall into place. However, there's still one essential ingredient we tend to overlook: motivation—or willpower. I’ve read many articles on internal and external motivation, but motivation can falter even with the best intentions. Sometimes, even with a clear plan, you’re blocked by a headache, fatigue, or feeling stuck. That’s when willpower kicks in. But here’s the catch: both motivation and willpower are limited resources. Once they’re depleted, you’re left struggling, and that's when we often abandon our plans or resolutions.

So, what's the solution? This question haunted me for months until I found an answer so simple that it was hard to believe: mini habits. These tiny actions help bypass the brain's defensive resistance, allowing you to progress even when you’re not feeling your best. I won’t dive too deep into the mechanics here, but if you're curious, I highly recommend checking out these books for more insight:

• Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
• Mini Habits by Stephen Guise

Each book presents this concept in its unique way. I encourage you to explore and find what resonates with you.