Why relying on productivity tools can backfire

Why relying on productivity tools can backfire Alamy The explosion in productivity tech means we can track everything from our steps to our to-do list. “Without these tools, goals can Claire Wu Neuroscientist Claire Wu says some productivity tools use 'rewards' to keep us engaged While ticking off an item on an old-fashioned to-do list might give us some level of satisfaction, technology games our desire to do more and rewards us in more overt ways. But really, the workout is much more important than some arbitrary points.” Wu, who founded an app that helps people achieve long-term health optimisation goals, believes that some productivity tools can place pressure on users. You name it, I’ve tried it.” Rob Weatherhead Rob Weatherhead says since lockdown he's been using new measures to assess his output - his own instincts Yet in the last year, since he’s been responsible for his own remote work efficiency, Weatherhead has found himself discarding most of these technologies and “reverting back to a good old-fashioned task list”, using a pen and paper. I know whether I’ve had an efficient or effective day, and I don’t need technology to tell me.” Sandra Bond Chapman, a cognitive neuroscientist at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas, Dallas, believes that the fundamental shifts caused by the pandemic could permanently change the way people like Weatherhead view productivity.