Sustainable Productivity for High Performers: How to Get More Done by Doing Less

Andres Wiest
Oct 7
3 min read

The arrow in the target says it all. Productivity is about precision, not volume. You don’t need to shoot more arrows. You need to aim better. Every action should move you closer to what matters most.

I used to think productivity meant doing everything myself. When I wasn’t busy, I felt like I was failing. That mindset led me into burnout twice. First, when arthritis and paralysis forced me to stop. Then again, when I buried myself in work trying to prove I was still enough. Doing less taught me the truth. Focus is strength. This approach reflects sustainable productivity for high performers—choosing quality over quantity and working with precision.

STOP TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING

Saying yes to everything drains your energy. The more you take on, the less you give to what matters. Focus wins. Choose fewer goals and complete them with intention.

Research shows multitasking lowers performance and increases stress.¹ ² When you spread yourself too thin, your accuracy drops. Focus on what counts. Drop what doesn’t.

Steps to apply:

Write down every task or commitment.
Rank each from 1 to 5 by importance.
Cut anything below a 3.
Put your best energy into what ranks highest.

REDEFINE PRODUCTIVITY FOR SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS

Old productivity was about hours. New productivity is about results.³ ⁴ Busy doesn’t equal effective. What matters is progress.

Your results improve when energy and purpose align. Notice when your focus peaks and schedule your most important work during that time.

Action plan:

Track your energy for one week.
Do demanding work during high-focus hours.
Save light tasks for later in the day.

REST IS A STRATEGY, NOT A REWARD

Rest keeps you sharp. It’s not an afterthought.⁵ ⁶ Research shows rest improves clarity, creativity, and problem-solving. Without it, you lose focus and burn out faster.

Plan rest before exhaustion. Treat it as fuel for sustainable productivity.

Ways to practice:

Block one hour daily for rest or reflection.
Step away before fatigue sets in.
Model healthy rest habits for your team or family.

LET GO OF PERFECTION

Perfectionism blocks progress. Research from Atlassian shows chasing flawless results slows delivery and increases stress.⁸ Done with purpose beats delayed perfection.

I used to edit every client message until the meaning faded. When I stopped chasing perfect, I worked faster and with more authenticity.

Practical steps:

Work in short time blocks.
Stop when time is up and move forward.
Aim for useful, not flawless.
Ask, “Does this serve the goal right now?”

BUILD BOUNDARIES THAT PROTECT YOUR FOCUS

Without boundaries, focus leaks. Boundaries protect your time, energy, and clarity.⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹

When I started coaching, I replied to every message instantly. I thought it showed commitment, but it only scattered my attention. Setting no-meeting hours and response windows changed everything. My focus and energy returned.

How to set boundaries without guilt:

Identify your biggest distractions.
Choose one clear boundary this week.
Communicate it early and stick to it.
Respect your time as much as others’.

FINAL THOUGHT

The arrow only hits the target when your aim is steady. Doing less with purpose creates sustainable success. Every action should have meaning. Focus on what matters, rest before burnout, and protect your time. That’s how you get more done by doing less.