From Wellington Libraries, There's an art to getting things done without being stressed. This week our blog looks at increasing productivity by working more effectively
Productivity, according to the NZ Treasury, is New Zealand's biggest economic challenge.
Productivity and labour force participation are the key drivers of economic performance, higher wages and higher living standards.
Our capacity to raise our standard of living depends on our ability to raise output per
worker – the amount of goods and services each worker produces and the value they add.At the end of 2025 NZ Management magazine reported on findings from a report by ASB economists. According to that report :
New Zealand could unlock an extra $60 billion in incomes each year by 2050 if bold action is taken to address the country’s lagging productivity.
It’s understandable that this thinking carries over into the workplace and individual performance. For a long time the mantra in the workplace has been that by working longer and harder more is produced and you get ahead.
In the last 60 years Japanese workplaces took this form of productivity to the point that ill health and fatalities occurred and the word Karoshi came to mean “death by overwork”.
Japanese workplaces are not alone. In recent years it has been increasingly acknowledged that western workers adhering to the is work style are more likely to achieve burnout which is neither personally or professionally productive.
In other words there's a difference between working harder and working smarter.
This week we’ve collated some resources that assist with increasing personal and workplace effectiveness while still maintaining balance and perspective.
Watch and listen
(podcast, Ted talks and Youtube talks)
Slow Productivity | Cal Newport
Most of us know that multitasking is a trap — that trying to tackle several things at once often results in most of them being done poorly (or not at all). And yet we keep toggling between tasks because modern work environments divert us with emails to answer and meetings to endure. Burnout often results. So what’s the solution? Productivity expert Cal Newport suggests tapping the brakes and practicing what he calls slow productivity, a type of languid intentionality that values long-term output over performative activity. Slow doesn’t have to mean less, though. By working in a more focused, natural manner, you’ll likely accomplish more and feel better about the process.
5 Simple Tricks to Double Your Productivity Today – Carl Pullen
Stop letting your calendar and procrastination control your life. This video shares five simple, actionable tricks designed to eliminate procrastination, improve time management, and "explode" productivity. From reducing the mental barrier to starting new tasks to taking back control of your calendar, these tips are designed for the modern knowledge worker who feels overwhelmed by meetings and endless "urgent" messages.
Learn (LinkedIn learning)
Work Smarter, Think Sharper, Live Better: 15 Tips for Igniting Your Potential
Ignite your potential
43m, General
In this course, bestselling author Daniel Pink shares hands-on strategies to help you work smarter, think sharper, and live better. Drawing on science and real-world insights, Pink guides you through building efficient habits, managing time, and aligning your work with purpose. You’ll learn to think more creatively and strategically, improve decision-making, and cultivate emotional intelligence. Pink also explores ways to bounce back from setbacks, use self-talk to build confidence, and find meaning in your daily efforts. Along the way, you’ll create a personalized plan for growth, blending timeless principles with actionable tactics. Whether you’re looking to boost productivity, approach challenges with fresh perspectives, or live a more intentional life, this course offers the tools to help you thrive.
NB: This course is free to access with library registration
Short reads
What We Get Wrong About Productivity and “Hard Work”
There's the productivity story that looks right—and the one that works.
There's only so much time in a day, a year, or a life. Productivity generally refers to the ability of an individual, team, or organization to work efficiently within that time in order to maximize output. Psychology Today deep dives into what personal productivity is
Sleep and Productivity: Here’s How Science Says It’s Linked
Want to become a more productive small business owner? Discover what science says about sleep, why prioritizing rest matters, and how to ensure you get enough quality sleep to boost performance.
Longer reads
Productivity joy : feel energised and be effective in 5 minutes a day by Simi Rayat, 2025
Women who work too much : break free from toxic productivity & find your joy by Tamu Thomas, 2024
Feel-good productivity : how to do more of what matters of you by Ali Abdaal, 2023
Also available as audiobook and ebook
In good time : 8 habits for reimagining productivity, resisting hurry, and practicing peace
by Jen Pollock Michel, 2022
Productivity hacks : 500+ easy ways to accomplish more at work--that actually work!
by Emily Price, 2018
Smart work : how to increase productivity, achieve balance and reduce stress by Dermot Crowley, Revised and updated edition 2023
Lead smart : how to build and lead highly productive teams by Dermot Crowley, 2024. Also available as ebook
If you require more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.
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