How To Be Productive According To Ancient Philosophy

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” – Socrates

Don’t take on more tasks and responsibilities. You end up doing many things in a mediocre way. Instead, focus your time and energy on a few important things.

“Better a little which is well done, than a great deal imperfectly.” – Plato

Set 3-4 important tasks that will directly contribute to what you want to achieve in life.

“If you seek tranquility, do less. Or do what’s essential. Do less, better. Because most of what we do or say is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more tranquility..."

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius.

One unproductive day can destroy your whole momentum. And that can set you back months.

All your small actions combined, form your system for living.

And that leads to the big outcomes in life: More happiness, fulfillment, wealth—all a result of your system.

Although productivity might seem something that became important only recently, after the industrial revolution, it has been a topic of discussion ever since ancient eastern and western philosophy started.

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” – Aristotle

No matter how hard you work today, never see it as a sacrifice. You will end up resenting yourself.

“Neither blame or praise yourself.” – Plutarch

When you blame yourself often, you end up hating yourself. And when you praise yourself too much, you end up loving yourself in an unhealthy way (a form of narcissism). If you overdo it, you sacrifice the quality of your work.