Rethinking Productivity: Process vs Outcome
Mon Feb 02 2026
Productivity is often seen as the holy grail of business success. Though organizations obsess over productivity gains, often they miss the fact that these gains come with a hidden cost.
In this episode, Thom explores why healthy mission, creativity, and inner stillness are not distractions from productivity, but its deepest source.
When work feels meaningful, participation becomes voluntary, effort becomes effortless, and productivity takes care of itself.
Episode Highlights
00:45 Productivity is an Illusion
04:01 Making Participation Attractive
06:23 Great Output Comes from Healthy Process
10:17 The Four Aspects of Organizational Mission
14:15 Make Everybody a Believer of the Mission
18:48 The Role of Vedic Meditation in Organizational Productivity
23:02 Q: Are Corporate Missions Manipulative?
23:23 A: Use Your Discrimination Capability
25:07 Q: How do we reconcile ease with being productive?
25:23 A: Frictionless Flow Feels Effortless
26:03 Q: Can we trade off being productive for stillness?
26:46 A: Get corporate support or choose personal control
31:26 Q: How can we remove the pressure to feel productive in life?
32:01 A: I Get To...
You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/plvJKA1k_zk
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https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/
Registration is now open for Thom’s only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25.
This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom.
You’ll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona.
Register before February 28th and you’ll save $500 on your retreat fee.
You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.
More
Productivity is often seen as the holy grail of business success. Though organizations obsess over productivity gains, often they miss the fact that these gains come with a hidden cost. In this episode, Thom explores why healthy mission, creativity, and inner stillness are not distractions from productivity, but its deepest source. When work feels meaningful, participation becomes voluntary, effort becomes effortless, and productivity takes care of itself. Episode Highlights 00:45 Productivity is an Illusion 04:01 Making Participation Attractive 06:23 Great Output Comes from Healthy Process 10:17 The Four Aspects of Organizational Mission 14:15 Make Everybody a Believer of the Mission 18:48 The Role of Vedic Meditation in Organizational Productivity 23:02 Q: Are Corporate Missions Manipulative? 23:23 A: Use Your Discrimination Capability 25:07 Q: How do we reconcile ease with being productive? 25:23 A: Frictionless Flow Feels Effortless 26:03 Q: Can we trade off being productive for stillness? 26:46 A: Get corporate support or choose personal control 31:26 Q: How can we remove the pressure to feel productive in life? 32:01 A: I Get To... You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/plvJKA1k_zk Useful Links info@thomknoles.com https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/ Registration is now open for Thom’s only rounding retreat for 2026, in Sedona from May 21-25. This is your one and only opportunity this year for deep rest, stress release and consciousness expansion through industrial-strength meditation, along with twice-daily knowledge sessions with Thom. You’ll enjoy delicious retreat-friendly meals and the beauty and healing powers of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Register before February 28th and you’ll save $500 on your retreat fee. You can find out more at thomknoles.com/sedona.