A Quick History of Productivity (Spoiler: It’s a Boys’ Club)
Let’s face it—most of the productivity advice we’ve been fed over the decades has been written by men, for men. Crushing to-do lists? Hacking habits? Squeezing every second out of your day? It’s all based on a “hustle hard” mentality rooted in a world that didn’t account for women’s lives, responsibilities, or hormonal rhythms.
But here’s the thing—productivity is not one-size-fits-all. And as women continue to shake up this male-dominated narrative, the definition of productivity is evolving into something much smarter, healthier, and more inclusive.
Productivity: A (Very) Brief History
18th Century: The term productivity first popped up in French economic circles, referring to how much work could be squeezed out of land and labor. It was all about farming, factories, and, well, output.
19th Century: Enter industrialization. Productivity became an obsession with maximizing worker efficiency, thanks to thinkers like Karl Marx and Adam Smith.
20th Century: Post-WWII, productivity shifted to economic growth and shiny corporate strategies. By the late 1900s, productivity started focusing on knowledge workers—cue self-help classics like Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
21st Century: Today, “productivity” covers everything from crushing deadlines to achieving work-life balance, all while dodging endless digital distractions. It’s less about output and more about navigating complexity.
Why Productivity Feels Like a Bro Fest
Google “best productivity books,” and you’ll find a list dominated by male authors. Stephen Covey, James Clear, David Allen, Cal Newport—great thinkers, sure, but they all reflect a perspective centered on linear systems, unchanging routines, and relentless optimization.
Here’s the catch: women’s lives don’t fit into these rigid systems. We’re managing careers, families, relationships, and, let’s not forget, hormonal cycles. A 28-day rhythm doesn’t exactly vibe with a 24-hour productivity hack.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Enter the Women Changing the Productivity Game
Thankfully, women are rewriting the rules of productivity, focusing on balance, boundaries, and doing less to achieve more. Here’s a taste of how female authors are flipping the script:
Kim Scott, Radical Candor: Leadership with empathy and honesty, proving you don’t need to be a jerk to get things done.
Vanessa Patrick, The Power of Saying No: Because real productivity is about boundaries, not burnout.
Jenny Odell, How to Do Nothing: A manifesto for stepping off the treadmill and reclaiming your time.
Tiffany Dufu, Drop the Ball: A guide to letting go of perfectionism and focusing on what truly matters.
Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Tapping into creativity as a secret weapon for productivity and joy
Marie Forleo, Everything Is Figureoutable: A no-nonsense approach to tackling life’s challenges with confidence.
The New Productivity Mantra
It’s not about working harder. It’s about working smarter—on your own terms. Women are leading the charge in reshaping productivity into something that fits real lives, not just rigid routines.
So, whether you’re balancing career goals, family demands, or just trying to carve out time for yourself, remember: you’re not here to crush your to-do list—you’re here to own it.
The Bottom Line
The old productivity playbook was built for someone else’s game. It’s time to write a new one that works for you. With powerful female voices leading the way, productivity is finally evolving into something inclusive, balanced, and life-changing. And honestly? It’s about time.
———————-
Hormones are a superpower. You can use your cycle to live a more productive and successful life.
Phase can show you how.
P.S. Everyone's experience with menstruation is unique, so you might notice that your energy levels don't always match the typical patterns described above.
How you feel during each phase can also vary from one cycle to the next. It's important to observe and adapt to your body's signals, as your personal experience may differ.
