What is the most important productivity tool? It's not what you think.

I've been working remotely since 2004. I've been using all kinds of productivity tools, from the mainstays you know like Trello, Asana, and Jira, to tons of more obscure ones like Notion and Todoist. I've tried almost every browser extension out there. I've been using a password manager for over 15 years. <br><br>I've also tried all sorts of time management techniques. The Pomodoro Technique. Eat That Frog. Getting Things Done. The Power Hour. The Essentialist. There’s probably a bunch I’m forgetting. <br><br>I've also read all the prominent books on productivity and watched all the TED Talks. There’s probably a bunch I’m forgetting. <br><br>I've also tried all sorts of productivity gadgets and gizmos. Smart speakers. Wireless charging. Portable power banks. <br><br>I also have a great routine. I have a 1 hour morning routine that I always do, and I'm strict about it. I have a set of rules to help me stay focused. I take a walk every day and then do yoga. <br><br>And I've had my ups and downs. For a few years I was really super productive. I had lots to do but tons of time to do it, and I barely had to spend any time on maintenance. I was really super focused and interested in what I was doing. I barely had any meetings. I didn't check my email all the time. <br><br>But then I got a new job, and it was opposite in almost every way. I was really busy, and I didn't have much time to do all the things I had to do. I had to do a lot of work to maintain my productivity. I had lots of meetings and I had to check email all the time. I was really super distracted. And my work was really boring. But I made it work. <br><br>And then I had some more ups and downs. But lately, I've been really productive. I was really super focused and interested in what I was doing. I had lots of time to do what I wanted. I barely had any meetings. I didn't check my email all the time. It was great. <br><br>I've learned that the most important productivity tool is not a tool or a technique or a gadget. It’s the ability to adapt. If you can’t adapt, you can’t be productive. Productivity is always changing. Sometimes you have more work than time, sometimes you have more time than work. When you have more work than time, focus on what's important and minimize distractions. When you have more time than work, you can be more flexible and interested in what you have to do. <br><br>And always be trying new things, and use what works and forget what doesn’t. By definition, productivity always changes, so you always have to be changing.