Busting the Biggest Productivity Myths
We’ve all heard the advice: wake up at 5:00 a.m., work nonstop, multitask your way to success, and sit in endless meetings to move things forward. But what if these so-called “productivity hacks” are actually slowing us down?
In this post, we’ll bust four of the biggest productivity myths that keep business owners and teams stuck. We’ll also show you smarter, science-backed strategies that actually work.
Myth #1: You Have to Wake Up at 5:00 A.M. to Be Productive
This idea gained popularity with Robin Sharma’s best-selling book The 5 A.M. Club, which paints an inspiring picture of high achievers who rise before dawn.
The truth? Productivity isn’t about the clock, it’s about energy. Some people are early birds, others are night owls. What matters most is aligning your most important work with the hours when you’re naturally at your best.
Takeaway: Don’t copy someone else’s schedule. Track your own energy patterns and plan your priorities around your peak focus times.
Myth #2: Multitasking Makes You More Efficient
We often brag about being great multitaskers, but science says otherwise.
A Stanford University study found that heavy multitaskers actually perform worse. They’re more distractible, make more mistakes, and struggle to remember important information. Every time you switch tasks, your brain pays a “restart cost.”
The truth? Mono-tasking is the real productivity superpower. Focusing on one thing deeply before moving to the next.
Takeaway: Protect your attention. Turn off distractions, close extra tabs, and commit to one task at a time.
Myth #3: You Need to Work Nonstop to Succeed
Hustle culture tells us to grind all day, every day. But have you ever noticed your best ideas show up when you’re in the shower? That’s because your brain is at rest and that’s when creativity flourishes.
Research published in Harvard Business Review confirms it: breaks improve focus, problem-solving, and creativity. Even leaders like Bill Gates famously take “think weeks” to recharge and generate new ideas.
The truth? Breaks aren’t wasted time. They are an essential productivity strategy.
Takeaway: Step away from the desk. Go for a walk, grab a coffee, or even take a power nap. Your brain (and your business) will thank you.
Myth #4: Meetings Are the Best Way to Get Things Done
We’ve all sat through meetings that could have been an email. While sometimes a quick phone call is the clearest way to communicate, pulling ten people into a full meeting isn’t always necessary.
The Microsoft 2023 Work Trend Index found that employees spend up to 57% of their time in meetings and calls, but much of that time isn’t productive. Patrick Lencioni’s book Death by Meeting makes a strong case for cutting down on unnecessary gatherings.
The truth? Meetings should be the exception, not the default.
Takeaway: Before scheduling your next meeting, ask:
Could this be a quick email, Slack update, or async project board note?
Do all these people really need to be in the room?
Do we have a clear goal for the meeting and will it lead to actionable steps?
Final Thought
Real productivity isn’t about doing more, faster. It’s about doing the right things at the right time, with the least wasted effort. Busting these myths frees up your time, energy, and creativity so you can focus on what actually moves your business forward.
Ready to work smarter, not harder? At Lift Business Resources, we help business owners and teams streamline workflows, protect their focus, and implement productivity strategies that actually work. Stop spinning your wheels and start making every hour count. Reach out to Lift today to see how we can help you get more done with less stress.
