When productivity tools become counter productive...

All too often we buy productivity tools, software and gadgets designed to help us get more done...but in the end they simply make us more busy and overly stressed.

When I wait at airports and see so many people thumbing their Blackberrys and speaking into their Blue Tooth phones, I ask myself, “Do these guys never just relax? Is it essential that they collect those messages and take those calls right now?”

For myself, I enjoy a little time when I’m out of contact with my email and phone. It gives my mind space to wander, to relax. While others are filling their time and minds with messages and phone calls, I’m taking it easy, and allowing my brain to wander off in different directions.

I might go into an airport bookstore and browse the bestseller business titles. Or check out the self-help section. I’ll glance at some magazine covers.

I can make a phone call at any time. But I rarely have the opportunity to browse through a bookstore. And sometimes I find gold in those titles and magazine covers. They give me ideas for articles and web pages. Even blog entries.

But I wouldn’t get those new ideas if I were being “productive” and catching up with phone calls.

Sometimes our efforts to be super-productive backfire on us. All we do is fill our time, and exhaust ourselves.

Far better, I think, to allow yourself some free time, and give your brain the opportunity to wander, and take you in new directions.