We are used to believing that the more plans, control, discipline and “correct” rituals, they automatically lead to development. But very often behind this is only an imitation of movement, busyness without a real result.
So we asked about real anti-productivity from various creatives in the industry and found out what worked and what didn’t. What did it lead to? Find out in the material!
What did you do for quite a long time to get “development”, but now you understand that it was an imitation of movement?
Oleg Kupets, owner KuTeam, KuPartners
For a long time I thought that if I planned every step of my life and adhered to deadlines, I would be super efficient and productive. And accordingly, I would grow faster. But, that was a mistake, in reality everything turned out to be simpler and less arrogant.
Kostya, Creative Director of Wild Wild Group
I tried to create something too unique and sophisticated — something that would cover me with a wave of “wow” and would appeal to, if not everyone, then at least many. But over time, I realized a simple thing: the best is the enemy of the good. That’s when I stopped obsessing about everyone liking my work.
The main thing is to believe in what you’re doing. Don’t adjust and don’t get lost. There will always be critics, fans, haters — it’s part of the process. At the same time, this doesn’t mean that I started doing something disconnected from reality. Not at all.
We also have to stay in the realm of analytics: real numbers, statistics, and indicators. But the focus on “impressing and conquering everyone” is no longer there. It’s just a drain of energy.
Roman Korchak, Owner @real_target
На первый взгляд, самое большое было у меня, что уже давно готовился. Гайди, ноты, просмотренные посты и видео, потом перечитаю, потом перегляну. По факту, я просто нашел момент, когда треба братьев и результатов работы, поступово робляли крок за кроком.
Що ти робив надто старанно, хоча результат зъявлялся не завдяки этому?
Kostya, Creative Director of Wild Wild Group
It’s all the same, it’s about excessive planning, which I spent a lot of time and energy on. The secret is that you need to do more and plan less. I’m not saying that you don’t need to set goals, no, on the contrary, you need to! But you don’t need to get hung up on decompositions; you need to act faster.
Kostya, Creative Director of Wild Wild Group
I communicate too diligently: I have countless chats, and I can’t afford to ignore any of them. I did and do it too diligently: because it’s my job, my duty. If they write to me and involve me in something, it means I’m doing everything right; it means from a PR point of view, I should use it. However, I think that such a result did not appear thanks to tolerance and communication etiquette. Still, they write, probably, because of certain achievements in work. But one does not exist without the other. So if endless communication were not exhausting, I would still be grateful to everyone who writes and who recognizes and suggests.
Roman Korchak, Owner @real_target
I tried too hard to control everything. Every step, every number. I could spend hours checking my fortune, but the result appeared not because I controlled everything, but because I came up with new ideas, a new funnel, communicated with people, and saw useful things for myself everywhere. Control creates a sense of security, but destroys the mentality.
What skill did you improve because “everyone does it”, but it didn’t give you a single boost?
Oleg Kupets, owner KuTeam, KuPartners
Early rise at 5 am. Everyone around me said how cool it was to wake up early, do some sports calmly, take a shower, and get ready for work. But in reality, everything is not so rosy. Yes, some people like such exercises, and some, on the contrary, they harm productivity. I don’t “like” such activities more often.
Kostya, Creative Director of Wild Wild Group
I don’t remember ever having to level something up because everyone else does it. However, I don’t see anything wrong with that. I’m sure any skill that is properly leveled can bear fruit, and it doesn’t matter if everyone else does it or not. If you level it up well, you won’t be like everyone else!
Roman Korchak, Owner @real_target
So, to pump, there was no such thing, but I often noticed that I was trying to find answers to the questions of how successful people live, what rituals they have, how they became rich, I tried to imitate them, but in fact I just remained myself and realized that this is a superpower. Everyone has their own story.
What “must” turned out to be the most toxic for you?
Oleg Kupets, owner KuTeam, KuPartners
“You have to try to please everyone.” This is a very dubious idea, because being in such a state all the time, you lose understanding of your own desires, needs and goals.
Kostya, Creative Director of Wild Wild Group
Whether the word “toxic” would be appropriate here, but globally it is the belief “you have to work”)))
No, I love my job and I bring everything to the end, but work takes up most (if not almost all) of my life and time. Therefore, it is toxic in terms of the ability to put down the phone at least for a day and spend time with my loved ones. Once I had a friendly conversation with my manager, he highlighted to me that I myself am the toxic one, because I decide, and do not shift responsibility onto something or someone, where and with whom I should be here and now. So I am just learning to find time for myself and my loved ones.
Roman Korchak, Owner @real_target
“You have to be constantly in touch.” The most harmful attitude. And when you don’t have access to an advertising account, and even worse, you can’t influence the situation, some panic starts. Accordingly, I’m leaving such projects now.
What signal from your body or psyche about burnout did you ignore the longest?
Oleg Kupets, owner of KuTeam, KuPartners
This is definitely chronic fatigue. As soon as you notice it in yourself, immediately run to get tested, then to a neurologist for diagnostics and, if necessary, to a psychiatrist. Don’t delay!
Kostya, Creative Director of Wild Wild Group
I am impulsive. My maximum is when I am overworked; I can grumble out loud, swear a couple of times (more than necessary), and the crisis disappears 🙂 So, adopt a life hack that suits you!
And saturate your life with interesting things as much as possible, then there will be no time to think about burnout!
Roman Korchak, Owner @real_target
When even what used to drive you becomes indifferent. When everything becomes routine. For a long time I wrote it off as a “period”. By the way, in December-January I took a vacation for about two weeks and rebooted normally.