Technology has made us more productive.  But, we have made increases in productivity the goal instead seeing productivity as a means to an end. We’ve lost sight of our true priorities.  On the individual and organizational level the big picture is overshadowed by month-end goals, values are made invisible by urgency and real meaning and purpose is weakened by people who can’t say “no”.  In short, instead of consciously committing to the important we have unconsciously committed to the unimportant. Highlights from a recent speech:

• The recent explosion in progress has shifted our focus away from core priorities
• There are huge costs associated with crowing “productivity as king”
• The perfect storm is created when a lack of clear priorities meets a group ofpeople who say yes to everything and don’t set boundaries
• Yet, some companies and employees are staying true to their priorities while continuing to be productive

In an age where hips are donned with cell phones, spreadsheets measure increases in output and individuals are more like firefighters than creators of lasting value, it’s time to reconnect to core priorities. If we don’t the harder it will be to get back on course.

Already limits are being reached: Absenteeism caused by stress cost the economy $150 billion annually, in some companies distrust feels normal causing the flow of important communication to stop, while in others urgency is the norm, thus dampening strategy, innovation and long term planning. At some point not only will core priorities suffer, but productivity itself will cease to increase.