I recently had the honor of being interviewed by my amazing client, Mercedes Saurbaugh, for her podcast, Her Unapologetic Life. During our chat, we dove deep into a topic she and I are both really passionate about — peaceful productivity. When Mercedes first mentioned the phrase “peaceful productivity,” it hit home with me and it’s been something she and I have often talked about since then. So I was beyond excited when she invited me to be a guest on her podcast to talk about that very topic. 

The shift from a place of overwhelm and pressure to a more serene and intentional form of productivity has been a transformative journey for me. It hasn’t been an easy one, but it’s been an important one — in my life, and in my business. So I wanted to share a glimpse into that journey plus a few snippets from the interview with you. To check out the full podcast episode, you can listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music. 

“There are seasons of growth and seasons where you need to breathe, recenter, and realign.”

For a quick glimpse at our discussion, take a look at some of my top takeaways below! 

The Pressure and Expectations on Women

We all know what it’s like. As women, we’re constantly juggling a million roles, from professional success to dedicated motherhood, and everything in between. The weight of these expectations and pressures can often feel overwhelming.

In my chat with Mercedes, we got real about the challenge of balancing family and career — it’s a conversation she and I have often talked about in the past, but we recently talked about it in a different light when she mentioned a phrase that really hit home for me. That phrase was “peaceful productivity.” For so long, I had equated being productive with being busy, and I was afraid that if I slowed down, it meant I was being lazy. But the idea that productivity could actually be peaceful was a game changer. It was a major turning point that allowed me to see that I don’t have to be stuck in a whirlwind of expectations and pressure. I can define productivity in a way that aligns with my values, bringing a sense of calm and purpose to my life. As Mercedes so beautifully put it, finding peace in productivity is about creating a life that feels just as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

Redefining Productivity

Redefining productivity was a major breakthrough for me, and it’s something I felt I had to do in order to align my work and life with my core values. I had built up a successful career and business, but I knew something was missing. It wasn’t totally aligning with the vision I had for my future, for myself, and my family, or the balance that I was craving in this season of life.

So I challenged myself to redefine productivity. Mercedes and I have talked about this so much, the idea that life and business have different seasons. And in those different seasons, productivity is going to look different. There are times when productivity means growth, striving, and moving forward. And then there are times when productivity means taking a step back to recharge, to reflect, and to create some much-needed space for ourselves.

I’ve had to force myself to embrace this new definition of productivity, and it hasn’t always been easy. But the rewards have been immense. It’s allowed me to break free from the traditional mindset that being productive means being busy all the time. I’ve learned that it’s okay to slow down, and that slowing down doesn’t mean I’m being lazy. It means I’m being intentional. It means I’m making space for what truly matters.

Peaceful Productivity in Practice

“So Koree, what does peaceful productivity actually look like in rea, everyday life?” Well friend, I’m so glad you asked! 

Peaceful productivity is all about aligning with your core values and approaching your to-dos with intention and focus. It’s not just about crossing things off a list, but stepping back, reflecting on what’s actually important, and then taking steps to inch closer to your goals.

So, for me, I did this by revisiting the vision statement I have for my business. And when I did this, a flood of clarity washed over me. I’ve always known my passion lies in working with purpose-driven service providers and small business owners, particularly women who are on a mission to put more good out into the world. In the hustle and bustle of the business world, it’s easy to be swayed by the countless advice on how to grow faster and do more. I had to break free from this narrative and return to my roots, focusing on what truly matters to me.

It was an exercise of introspection and alignment. I revisited my vision statement and took a deep dive into why I’m doing what I’m doing. What legacy do I want to leave with my personal and professional journey? The answer was clear. I want to be a ripple maker, supporting others who can then support another person, creating a chain reaction of positivity and impact. This doesn’t mean I need to build a mega empire. Instead, I can make a powerful impact in alignment with my values and what feels productive to me in this season of life.

This shift has brought immense peace and clarity to my life and business. I’ve restructured my services, how I show up in my business, and how I plan my day, all in alignment with my mission and vision. Now, my definition of productivity is not about being busy, but about being aligned with my mission and making a meaningful impact, however small, that creates a ripple effect far beyond my reach.

Actionable Tips for Peaceful Productivity:

So, how can you incorporate peaceful productivity into your daily life? Here are a few practical tips that have been instrumental for me:

1. Start Your Day with Intention:

At the beginning of each business day, take a moment to pause and reflect on what productivity means to you on that specific day. Let this definition guide your priorities and shape your calendar. For example, on a day packed with meetings, being an active participant and clearing your inbox might define productivity. On the other hand, if you’re in a growth phase, content creation for a new offer could be your focus. This moment of pause and reflection ensures that your daily activities are in sync with your definition of productivity, fostering a sense of peace and accomplishment.

2. Embrace the Power of Tools:

Leverage the plethora of tools available to you, such as ChatGPT, to enhance your productivity while saving time and mental energy. Streamline your business operations by automating standard procedures and harness the benefits of time-saving tools in your personal life as well. From grocery delivery and meal planning to relying on virtual assistants for reminders, these small shifts can significantly lessen the mental load, making room for a peaceful coexistence of productivity and relaxation.

At the end of the day, it’s not about being busy just for the sake of it. It’s about being productive in a way that really resonates with what matters to you, what you’re working towards, and where you are in your life right now. And remember, the pursuit of peaceful productivity is a unique and evolving journey — it’s about recognizing and embracing the different seasons of life and allowing them to inform our understanding of productivity. In doing so, we can carve out more balance, more productivity, and, you guessed it … more peace.