We confuse speed with efficiency. A fast car that guzzles gas isn’t efficient — and working fast while draining your energy isn’t productive either. Joe argues that the best measure of efficiency is enjoyment: when you enjoy what you’re doing, it takes less energy and you have more of it. When you don’t enjoy it, everything requires enormous effort.
This reframes the entire productivity conversation. Instead of asking “How can I get more done?” the question becomes “How can I enjoy what I’m doing?” The energy savings compound — enjoyment creates more energy, which creates more capacity, which creates more enjoyment.
“The best measure for efficiency is enjoyment.”
Enjoyment also comes not just from what you do but how you do it. You don’t need to restructure your entire day — you can find enjoyment in the way you approach any task.
Related Concepts
- Enjoyment dissolves procrastination
- Enjoyment is more efficient than pushing through
- Energy management over time management
- How you do something determines if you do it