Efficiency vs. effectivity
Decide how you want to spend your time. If not, someone else will decide it for you.
Ever watched a biking team get ready for a race? They’re decked out in the best gear, their bikes are shiny, and they’re pumped to hit the road.
Efficiency? Check. They’re ready to go fast, equipped with the tools to win. But here’s the catch: unless they’re heading in the right direction, all that speed and energy won’t matter much.
Now imagine a biking coach on the sidelines. He’s not just cheering them on; he’s making sure they’re on the right track, adjusting their route when necessary.
Effectivity? That’s where it’s at. It's not just about speed—it's about reaching the goal in the best possible way.
In the modern workplace, we’re often stuck in the “efficiency trap.” People are busy—really busy—but not necessarily doing the right things. It's like being that biking team, speeding down a road, but with no idea if you’re even heading toward the finish line.
The problem is, that most leaders end up operating in default mode, rarely questioning whether they’re spending time on the right things.
Let me break it down.
The Efficiency Trap
We’ve all been there: back-to-back meetings, endless emails, constant updates. We fill our days with tasks, but when we look up, we’re not sure if we’ve moved the needle in the right direction. It's a kind of frantic busyness that feels productive but leaves us drained and disconnected.
In fact, we’re often busy with low-value work like:
Managing emails
Coordinating tasks that don’t move the project forward
Pushing information around with little focus on the actual work that needs to be done
The result? Stress. A constant feeling of “I’m doing something, but is it the right something?” And let’s not forget the lack of connection to the company’s goals. When you're stuck in the weeds of busywork, it’s hard to see how your work contributes to the bigger picture.
Effectivity: The Coach’s Perspective 🧑🏫
Effectivity is about aligning your actions with the end goal. It’s about doing the right things, not just doing things. It’s the difference between being busy and being productive.
In the workplace, this means:
Prioritizing work that directly contributes to the company's mission.
Getting clarity on your role and how it fits into the larger strategy.
Focusing on high-impact tasks that push the needle, rather than just ticking things off a to-do list.
Why the Efficiency Trap is So Dangerous ⚠️
The modern workplace loves the idea of efficiency. After all, who doesn’t want to get more done in less time? But in reality, this obsession with “getting things done” can backfire. We end up filling our days with activities that don’t add value—emails, meetings, admin tasks—at the expense of meaningful work that truly moves the company forward.
And this is where the stress kicks in. You're working long hours, but you feel disconnected from your company’s true purpose. You’re exhausted because you’ve been sprinting down the wrong road.
How to Escape the Efficiency Trap 🌟
Shift Your Focus to Impact: Instead of just doing things faster, ask yourself: “Is this the right thing to be doing?” Focus on tasks that align with the bigger picture.
Clear Priorities: Know what matters most. Align your tasks with your company’s goals. If your work isn’t contributing to the end goal, it might be time to reconsider it.
Be Intentional with Your Time: Time is precious. Stop wasting it on things that don’t add value. Delegate, automate, or simply stop doing low-priority tasks.
Regular Check-ins: Just like the biking coach, check in with yourself (and your team) regularly. Are you still headed in the right direction? Adjust your route if necessary.
The Takeaway 🏁
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of being busy, but remember: efficiency is just a tool. Effectivity is the real game-changer. Don’t just rush ahead for the sake of it—make sure you’re moving toward a goal that matters.
So, the next time you feel like you’re caught in the “efficiency trap,” take a step back. Are you heading in the right direction? Or are you just pedaling fast without knowing where you’re going?
And hey, if you want to talk more about escaping the efficiency trap and focusing on what really moves the needle, I’d love to hear from you!
How do you stay effective? Hit me up in the comments! :)
Talk to you soon 👋
Casper
I built these startups to help you:
The Effectivity Playbook: My toolbox with the 20 most popular effectivity tools (incl. implementation guides)
First Book ai: Write your first book in days, not years, with our AI platform (used by +300 authors)
Effectivity coaching: Helping business leaders and teams reclaim 50% of their time in just 30 days
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