It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the right tool or gadget will make you more productive. But here’s the truth: a lot of those so-called “productivity boosters” end up being nothing more than distractions.
Here are the things people buy to feel productive but ultimately just waste their time.
Fancy Planners
A beautifully designed planner with intricate layouts and stickers might feel like the key to an organized life, but most people don’t use them consistently. After the initial excitement wears off, they sit on the desk, gathering dust. That’s because writing out detailed plans every day can take more time than it saves.
A basic notebook or a simple digital calendar works better and costs less, proving that fancy doesn’t always equal functionality.
Premium Productivity Apps
Subscription-based productivity apps promise to help you stay organized and on top of your tasks, but they usually overcomplicate things. Endless features, integrations, and notifications will end up distracting you more than helping you. Instead of spending time being productive, you’ll find yourself wasting time tinkering with settings and learning how to use the app.
Ergonomic Desk Gadgets
Wrist rests, laptop stands, and foot hammocks are marketed as ergonomic desk accessories that are productivity essentials, but they’re not. Many of these items are over-engineered or poorly designed, and they can clutter your workspace more than they help. A good chair and proper posture usually eliminate the need for these extras.
Overpriced Notebooks
There’s something about a premium notebook that makes you feel like a productivity pro, but in reality, it doesn’t make a difference. Whether you jot down ideas in a $40 leather-bound journal or a $1 spiral notebook, the outcome is the same.
People often spend more time choosing the perfect notebook than actually using it.
“Smart” Water Bottles
Hydration is important, but smart water bottles that track your water intake or remind you to drink are a gimmick. They sound like a high-tech solution to staying healthy, but a simple reusable water bottle and a little mindfulness work just as well.
Multiple Monitors
It can be useful to have two monitors for certain types of work, but some people go overboard with three or even four screens. The promise of multitasking might seem enticing, but having too many displays is actually overwhelming and distracting.
Constantly glancing between screens will break your focus, and managing the setup takes extra time.
Expensive Desk Organizers
Ironically, organizers promising to declutter your desk usually do the exact opposite. Fancy trays, compartments, and containers end up taking more space than they save. In the time spent arranging everything perfectly, you could have already completed several tasks. A minimalist approach to your workspace, using fewer items, is more effective.
Time-Tracking Devices
Time is valuable, so tracking gadgets and wearables seems like a great way to boost productivity. But all too often, they add unnecessary stress. Constantly monitoring how you spend every minute can make you more anxious than efficient.
Instead of focusing on your work, you may find yourself obsessing over the data and trying to optimize every second. A simple timer or a general awareness of your priorities is often enough to stay on track.
Specialized Cleaning Tools
Mini vacuums for keyboards or microfiber gloves for dusting are cleaning tools marketed as time-savers but rarely deliver on their promises. They add clutter to your home and often require extra maintenance themselves. Most of the tasks they perform can be done faster and better with basic cleaning supplies. These tools are more about novelty than real efficiency.
Motivational Wall Art
Inspirational posters or wall art might give you a temporary boost, but they’re not going to transform your productivity. A quote on the wall won’t make you more focused or efficient. The time spent choosing and hanging these decorations would be better spent getting work done. It’s nice to create a pleasant environment, but remember that real productivity comes from habits and discipline, not words on a canvas.
Online Courses You Never Finish
Our quest for self-improvement never ends. Online courses promise to teach you new skills and improve your life, but all too often, we don’t complete them. The initial excitement of signing up fades, and the course becomes another unfinished project on your to-do list.
Focus on just one or two relevant courses that you can realistically complete.
Bullet Journaling Kits
We all like to get organized, and bullet journaling can be a great way to do just that, but the kits sold to “make it easier” often overcomplicate things. They include unnecessary extras like decorative stamps, fancy markers, and elaborate stencils, turning a simple system into an artistic project.
You may find yourself spending hours decorating pages or perfecting layouts. A basic notebook and pen can achieve the same results without all the unnecessary frills.
Fitness Tech for the Desk
Products like under-desk treadmills or pedal machines seem like a clever way to stay fit while working, but they’re often impractical. They can be distracting, noisy, and require constant adjustments, making it harder for you and your colleagues to focus on actual work. Staying active is important, but separating exercise from work is usually more effective.
Subscriptions for Productivity Newsletters
Constantly reading about productivity can become a form of procrastination, where you feel like you’re improving but aren’t actually doing anything. Subscribing to productivity newsletters seems like a great way to stay inspired, but it risks overwhelming your inbox and distracting you from your goals.
A few practical tips are helpful, but drowning in advice can leave you more confused than motivated.