So I downloaded Notion at the start of this year. I set out my yearly goals, and set up templates that I would update for my weekly goals, on a weekly basis.
Fast forward 8 months, and I find myself barely using Notion or any other ‘productivity’ app. Why is this?
The idea is that tools such as Notion are designed to make us more productive. However, I don’t think they actually make us more productive than before we downloaded them. Most of the time I find myself creating quick notes or ‘To Do’ lists in my notepad next to me. Why is this? In Notion I have the option to create for more fancier plans, and have the option to add links and edit as I go etc.
I think the answer is practicality and feasibility.
In a normal day in my life, I may be taking notes from a meeting at work. Whilst under pressure to not miss anything, my first thought is to always write some quick notes. I never think about opening Notion and writing down my notes. I don’t know, it just seems it would take too long to write everything down, format it and make sure it’s all organised.
Does that mean Notion and other productivity apps are useless? No, not at all. I actually think the opposite, and I am actually trying to utilise more of what productivity apps have to offer. It’s just that productivity apps aren’t everything.
We hear so much these days that we need productivity apps to get more done in the day. Or we might watch a ‘Day in the Life’ of a successful YouTuber who spends a lot of time ticking things off in their productivity app.
The truth is, having a plan, ‘To Do’ lists or whatever you want done, should be simple. The aim should be to create this process as efficient as possible. It should also be something that you are comfortable with. If you like making scruffy notes on your little notepad, and this is working for you, then that’s completely fine.
Just because there are fancier, more developed, complex tools, does not automatically mean it makes our lives easier. Simplify your ecosystem and find what works best for you!
