There was no “Productivity 101” in school or college.
That’s why I struggled — even as I looked successful on the outside.
From childhood, I was the “picture perfect” Asian kid of immigrants from Vietnam. I did all my homework, I got straight As, I aced spelling tests.
Then I went to college and the wheels came off the bus.
My to-do list was never-ending. I was a chronic procrastinator, starting projects at the last second and barely getting them in on time. My calendar and email were a mess because I used them both as to-do lists…until my inbox got so out of control I just never looked at it (too scary!) and missed important emails.
I was constantly stressed, constantly thinking, “There’s something I need to be doing…but I don’t know what it is.”
Eventually, I dropped out of college and landed a high-paying job.
Then things REALLY got high stakes. I felt like I was in over my head.
I was taking too long to reply to client emails…
Showing up to team meetings late…