Unconventional Productivity: Ditching the Myths

A Recovering Type-A’s Guide to Getting Sht Done Without Losing Your Mind

There I was, carrot firmly up my arse, colour-coding my calendar down to my bathroom breaks. (Yes, I actually optimised those.)

You know the trap. Those Instagram “entrepreneurs” with their 5 AM routines and colour-coded calendars, making it look effortless. Wake up at dawn, meditate, journal, work out, crush goals – all before breakfast.

Well, I’m calling BS.

Because here’s what they don’t show you: the anxiety, the burnout, and the crushing feeling of failure when you can’t maintain their impossible standards. Trust me, I’ve been there – KAPOT (it’s Dutch for completely broken, and boy, does that word hit different).

The Uncomfortable Truth About Productivity

Here’s what productivity gurus don’t want you to know: being busy doesn’t mean being productive.

I learned this the hard way when my husband dropped this truth bomb: “You didn’t leave your 9-5 to burn out at home.” Ouch. Talk about a wake-up call.

Why Everything You Know About Productivity is Wrong

Let’s demolish some sacred cows, shall we?

1. Multitasking is a superpower What you’re actually doing is switch-tasking, and it’s exhausting your mental battery faster than my phone during a juicy-news sisters catch up.
2. Time-block everything Sure, if you want to feel like a failure when life inevitably happens and life ALWAYS happens.
3. Never leave things unfinished Leaving something unfinished can be strategic. Your brain keeps working on problems in the background while you’re busy living your life. Science says so!

Unconventional productivity tips

After my productivity meltdown (and some wisdom from James Clear’s “Atomic Habits”), I discovered something revolutionary: doing less leads to achieving more.

Here’s my approach:

1. The Two-Block Method – I only block two 2-hour periods for focused work. That’s it. The rest of my day has structure – morning routine, walks, lunch – but they flow naturally. No prison-like schedule telling me when to breathe.
2. The Strategic Pause between your power blocks – take real breaks. Not “checking emails” breaks. Actually OFF. Walk around. Stare at clouds. Let your mind wander. It’s in these moments that magic happens. Plus, your brain needs this time to process and integrate what you’ve been working on.
3. Tech-Free Zones – Create spaces where your phone isn’t welcome. I know, I know – what if there’s an emergency? Trust me, if the world is ending, someone will let you know.

But What About Real Life and Deadlines?

Sometimes you’ll need to wake up earlier, add an extra work sprint, or push through a late night. That’s life. The difference? These are exceptions, not the rule. Your system should bend, not break.

The magic happens in the white space between your work blocks. That’s where you fit in your morning routine, daily walks, lunch breaks, and yes – even Netflix. Without the guilt of a rigid schedule breathing down your neck.

The Real Secret to Productivity

Stop treating yourself like a machine that needs to be optimised. You’re a human being, and humans need space to think, breathe, and yes – sometimes scroll through social media (for research purposes, of course!).

Start with this: identify your three most important tasks for tomorrow. Just three. Write them down. Then close your notebook and go and do something creative that fulls your soul. I promise the world won’t end.

Ready to Break Free?

If you’re tired of feeling like a productivity failure, maybe it’s time for a different approach. Book a 1:1 call with me, and let’s create a system that works for YOU – not some influencer’s idea of what productivity should look like.

You don’t need more productivity hacks. You need permission to work in a way that feels natural to you. And guess what? I’m giving you that permission right now.