Do you think you are happy when you are productive or are you productive when you are happy?

<p>In one of his first podcast conversations since being in the ICU Mario P Fields started us off by sharing how having a life threatening situation changed his view on productivity. There were days when just being able to stand on his own for ten seconds made him feel both happy and productive.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lisa McDonald says that it is very situational for her. Happiness and productivity go hand in hand and may not be a function of each other at all.</p> <p> </p> <p>Of course, Stewart Wiggins had to ask us “what is happiness?” And that is certainly a philosophical and complex question.</p> <p> </p> <p>I countered with the idea that I can be hugely productive, marking things off my list, getting things done, and feel accomplished and not necessarily happy. Or I could go for a hike in the woods with my dog and not be at all productive (it is questionable whether that could be defined as productive), but I’m happy.</p> <p> </p> <p>We went back and forth sharing different ideas of what happiness and productivity are and how they may or may not be linked together.</p> <p> </p> <p>In the end Stewart made a profound statement: “Happiness is not transactional.”</p> <p> </p> <p>And in that way, it is not at all linked with productivity. You can choose to be happy - - regardless.</p> <p> </p> <p>What do you think of this chicken/egg questions? Does happiness lead to productivity or is being productive what makes someone happy?</p> <p> </p> <p>Connect with the panelists: Lisa McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-k-mcdonald-executive-career-coach/</p> <p>Founder of Career Polish where she is an Executive Career Coach & Master Mindset Coach who helps people get career happy and life healthy</p> <p> </p> <p>Stewart Wiggins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-wiggins/</p> <p>Induna Advisors – where he offers Fractional Chief Operating Officer services and Brings resources together to help scale your business</p> <p> </p> <p>Mario P. Fields: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariopfields/</p> <p>Marine core veteran. Small