I Found Productivity at 60 — And It Took Me 5 Years to Get It Right

Busy ≠ Productive — My Wake-Up Call

I didn’t always understand productivity.

In fact, for the longest time, I thought being busy was synonymous with being productive.

If my calendar was jam-packed and my to-do list was longer than a wedding buffet, I’d pat myself on the back and call it a successful day. But when I looked back, I wasn’t building anything meaningful. Just chasing… stuff.

It’s only been in the last four years that I’ve truly begun to understand the art and science of getting the right things done.

And let me tell you — I wish I had started this journey earlier.
Because not knowing how to be productive costs me more than just time.
It chipped away at my energy, my creativity, and my peace.

Before I Knew Better

Let me paint you a picture of my “old normal” — maybe you’ll recognize a part of yourself in it.

• I’d wake up with my phone in hand, checking emails, WhatsApp groups, and doomscrolling through news.

• My mornings felt reactive. I had no idea what my top 3 priorities were.

• I’d jump between tasks like a squirrel on espresso — writing, video editing, coaching calls, catching up on Medium comments — all at once.

• I’d end the day feeling exhausted but strangely… unaccomplished.

And here's the kicker: I’d still beat myself up for not doing more. The cycle continued. The guilt built up.

And my Substack drafts? They piled up like unpaid bills.

👉 If this resonated, let me know in the comments: What’s one productivity struggle you face right now? Maybe I’ve been through it too.

And if you’d like more deep dives like this, behind-the-scenes habits, templates, and digital downloads — consider upgrading to a paid subscription.

The Turning Point (Sort Of)

About six months into this chaos, I hit a wall.

One evening, I looked at my list of goals and realized I was “starting” everything and “finishing” nothing. I had abandoned half-written Medium stories, unedited YouTube videos, and untouched PDF ideas meant for Gumroad.

I knew. I had ideas. But I didn’t have systems.

And that’s when I finally whispered to myself something I now tell my coaching clients often:

“Productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters, with clarity and calm.”

From Awareness to Action

So what did I do?

Nothing revolutionary. Just small changes. One step at a time. Here’s what I stumbled into — and what started turning things around for me.

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But here’s where the fundamental shift happened — and it’s the part I want to share with only my most committed readers.

This is where I dive into the fundamental tools, real habits, and real struggles I faced — and still face — as I build my productivity practice brick by brick.

Behind the Scenes: What Worked