Unhurried Productivity: Get More Done Without the Rush (Part 1)

Blog by Gem Fadling

Today, we’re diving into a question I hear often: “How can I be productive without feeling rushed or overwhelmed?”

Let’s begin with the word “productive.” I know I used it in the title and the opening question…and yet, I want us to consider pivoting to the word “fruitful” for our conversation here. The idea of productivity is fine, but sometimes it can trigger my proclivity toward bolstering my ego or staying unconsciously busy.

Fruitfulness is certainly a word from the Gospels, and I think it’s a more suitable way for us to move forward in our process of unhurried leadership. In John 15, Jesus speaks of much fruit that lasts. That is what I want in my life, and I’m guessing you desire this too.

We’ve all had days packed with meetings, to-do lists, and that pressured feeling of being behind. It’s exhausting. But what if I told you that you could actually get more done by being...unhurried?

Allowing stress or anxiety to be our internal engine can squeeze out creativity, discernment, and focus. If we learn to have a revved-down inner pace, we can stay open to all three of these beautiful gifts. More and better work could emerge from a less stressed body and mind.

Even top experts who coach executives are now touting the benefits of doing less, focusing, starting small, and engaging in some sort of meditation.

It is possible to be fruitful without being frazzled.

One of the reasons we feel stressed or overwhelmed is because we are using our busyness to distract ourselves. And then we want to distract ourselves from our stressed feelings, so you can see how this is a vicious cycle.

The ideas I’m sharing can help move us out of mindless distraction and into a more intentional way forward. These ideas aren’t inflexible rules or life hacks. Think of them as guidelines you can adapt to fit your day-to-day life.

Start with a Grounding Morning Routine

Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. Begin with something simple that helps you feel centered. Maybe it’s a few minutes of praying, journaling, or even a simple breath prayer (The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, Psalm 23).

This isn’t about cramming in a long checklist of morning habits, it’s about choosing one or two practices that help you wake up gently and set an intention for your day.

Prioritize What Really Matters

Not all tasks are created equal. It’s good to focus on what truly matters.

Ask yourself, “What are the most impactful or important things I need to address today?” By narrowing down your focus, you eliminate the noise and make space for meaningful work. Even on a day when you have many appointments, knowing what is most important for you keeps you focused and intentional.

One thing that helps with this is planning ahead. It is very difficult to prioritize when you are at the mercy of other people’s demands. A good rhythm of life is imperative if you want to be able to prioritize that which matters most. I’ve created a video that will help you begin a rhythm of life, so be sure to check it out.

Time Blocking with Flexibility

Time blocking is a powerful tool to organize your day—and remember to remain flexible, because of course surprises happen. Break your day into chunks for focused concentration work, meetings, breaks, and personal time. Allow some buffer time between each block to avoid feeling rushed. Buffer time can become your new best friend.

I do this and it works well for me. My mornings are for spiritual practices and concentration work, such as writing or preparing talks. Then late morning to mid-afternoon is for appointments, and late afternoon is for any additional admin that needs to be worked on. I also try to set aside one day per week and one week per month that is focused solely on content creation. This allows me to sink into deep work without distraction.

Practice Single-Tasking

We live in a world that celebrates multitasking, but it’s one of the biggest productivity myths. When you try to juggle multiple tasks at once, you muddy your focus and end up feeling scattered.

Give your full attention to one thing at a time. It’s all you can really do anyway. Multitasking is a myth. You give only a portion of yourself to two or more items as you switch back and forth between them. This also trains you in non-presence. You can only be fully present to one thing or person at a time. So choose to single-task. Your heart, mind, and body will thank you.

I’ve got four more ideas for you that I’ll share in two weeks. For now, spend some time with these reflection questions and feel free to try one of these this week.

For Reflection:

• Which of these ideas would you like to try on this week?
• What are your thoughts about productivity vs. fruitfulness?
• What might a greater inward focus do for your own heart and intentions?