Too often, productivity is measured by how much we accomplish on our to-do list. But how can we be sure those tasks are the right ones? And if we tackle too much today, will we be too burnt out to generate good ideas tomorrow? Google’s Executive Productivity Advisor and Charlotte native Laura Mae Martin has long felt that the old definition of productivity—being busy, back-to-back and always “on”—is outdated and ineffective. She argues that we need a new definition for productivity called “Uptime,” which is a holistic approach that matches intention to action in ways that are energizing instead of exhausting.
Martin coaches top executives on the best ways to manage their time and energy and sends out a weekly productivity newsletter that reaches more than 50,000 employees. During her thirteen-year tenure at Google, Laura has worked in sales, product operations, event planning, and now executive coaching.
Martin has turned the insight from her coaching journey with thousands of Google co-workers, into a book, UPTIME: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing. The book teaches professionals how to thrive with actionable steps to better focus on priorities and keep good systems, routines, and tactics in place both at work and at home.
This week, Martin coached professionals in the CLT Alliance Emerging Business Leaders and Young Professionals programs, offering valuable insight into what “Uptime” really means and how to be more productive at work and in life.
“I do not multitask,” the working mom of three said. “I find value in constantly being present. I’m a one-tab working kind of person. You want to balance, but not blend.”
Martin said that achieving Uptime begins with an understanding of yourself as a whole person. She invited attendees at the event to consider what makes them happy at work and outside of work; when natural peak times occur for creativity, focus, and efficiency; and when it is necessary to take a break to do some uninterrupted thinking or deepen social connections.
“Connect with future you,” Martin said. “If you foster one muscle, it’s the connection with future you. ‘What will future me wish that I had planned here?’ The more you think that way, the more you will find yourself in situations you are happy about.”
From interns and entry-level employees to CEOs and parents, Martin offers an indispensable blueprint for operating at the highest levels of productivity while enhancing personal wellbeing, so that “feeling on top of it” becomes the new normal.
More information about Martin and her book can be found here.
