PSTM: Productivity, Whiskey, and Enjoyment 3/5/26

PSTM: Productivity, Whiskey, and Enjoyment 3/5/26

4 minute read.

 

The idea: Productivity trap. More is not always better.

You see this with delegation in new managers. You see this especially in the capable and hard working. It’s a three pronged monster:

  1. I can do it better and faster, so I’ll just do it.
  2. The more I do, the more people are happy with me, so I’ll do more to be the most loved.
  3. Fast feedback loops. In the beginning, there are many things that do reliably get better when you work a bit harder.

The problem is, if you get good enough at working, you cut out the time and space to evaluate the crucial question of life: should I be doing this?

I’m answering email all day, but would my life be better served by unplugging my laptop and thinking through my relationships.

My solo-entreprenuer phase is a success, but what further results could I unlock as a team.

Am I even happy?

So, to all you high producing, fast charging killers out there, don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. Because stillness is the only way to find the deeper truths of meaning, hidden under your slack channel response times. Most of what is in the world is not worth doing.

The quote:

There is no such thing as bad whiskey. Some whiskeys just happen to be better than others. But a man shouldn’t fool with booze until he’s fifty; then he’s a damn fool if he doesn’t.”
—William Faulkner

The advice: Go through this week with these two questions. Apply them ruthlessly:

-Is this worth doing?

-How could I enjoy this more?
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