By Leo Babauta

I don’t think being productive is as important as we usually think it is — most of us get trapped in a cage of trying to be as productive as we think we should be.

But one thing I think does matter in the area of productivity is to focus on what matters.

Most of us are either super busy (but not always focusing on what matters), or we’re busy avoiding the things that matter with distractions.

In both cases, we’re not doing what matters.

What really matters? That’s a tough question for me to answer for anybody else, but the truth is, most of us probably already know what matters. It’s the things that are meaningful, that make an impact, that move the needle on things you care about.

Not the busywork. Not answering all the thousand emails and messages. Not social media. Not shopping, or watching videos, or doing all the things that are easy and comfortable and keep us busy.

The things that matter are few, they require focus, and they make a difference (for our team, for the meaningful work we’re doing, for our career, for the people we care about).

If you identify 1–3 things that matter every day, and make the time for them … and actually focus on them and move them forward … you’ll likely feel a huge shift.

Once we take care of one or more things that matter each day, we can take care of the little things (and those matter too, just not in a big way). After I’ve done a few things that really matter, I can call the day a win, and feel amazing!

And by the way … you don’t always have to force yourself to do the things that matter — you can have fun with them! It can be play, or an adventure, or feel meaningful or joyful or loving. Bring focus and care to what matters, and have an amazing time doing it.