One of the biggest mistakes we make living in this fast-paced world is how we define productivity. Often, we think being productive means cramming as much as possible into the longest work hours. In the most extreme perspective, some of us even believe that less sleep equals more productivity. However, this approach is not sustainable in the long run and is not healthy for our bodies and minds.

Bookstores are filled with shelves dedicated to productivity books. From this bunch of information, I’ve gathered the most inspiring quotes to help you rethink what it means to be truly productive.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Good habits make time your ally. Bad habits make time your enemy.
James Clear, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Same As Ever by Morgan Housel

Planning like a pessimist and dreaming like an optimist.
Morgan Housel, Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes

Breaking Through by Katalin Karikó

You find an excuse only if you don’t want to accomplish something. If you genuinely want to do it, you find a way. You sit down, get to work, learn how to transform what you have into what you need.
Katalin Karikó, Breaking Through: My Life in Science

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

If you don’t prioritise your life, someone else will.
Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Our highest priority is to protect our ability to prioritise.
Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

When there’s too much to do, and there always will be, the only route to psychological freedom is to let go of the limit-denying fantasy of getting it all done and instead to focus on doing a few things.
Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

The harder you struggle to fit everything in, the more of your time you’ll find yourself spending on the least meaningful things.
Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

In reality your time is finite, doing anything requires sacrifice – the sacrifice of all other things you could have been doing with that stretch of your time.
Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

The more firmly you believe it ought to be possible to find time for everything, the less pressure you’ll feel to ask whether any given activity is the best use for a portion of your time.
Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon

Unless we deal with the root cause of our distraction, we’ll continue to find ways to distract ourselves. distraction isn’t about the distraction itself, but it’s about how we respond to it.
Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon; How Will You Measure Your Life

The Motivation of Myth by Jeff Haden

They think motivation is the spark that automatically produces lasting eagerness to do hard work. Actually, motivation is a result. Motivation is the pride you take in work you have already done—which fuels your willingness to do even more.
Jeff Haden, The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win