by Michelle Christina

Created on: June 21, 2008

There's no doubt that decidedly "happy" individuals have a greater capacity to lead productive lives. It is my opinion, in addition, that the reverse equation is also true, depending on the individual.

By releasing the term "productive" from the confines of its base word, "product", we open up the subject to a range of dynamic ideas. While we certainly produce results under this adjective, they are not always material, nor commercial, nor superficial. Productivity may bring to mind images of long to-do lists and obligations that are matter-of-fact, but go beyond that preset and consider this:

A productive day is one where we make our way through a range of projects, concepts, assessments of basic needs, mental debates, creative tasks, and whatever physical requirements are necessary to satisfy our place on the food chain.

It may be an idealistic adaptation of a dictionary entry, but according to Dictionary.com, the word productive means "having the power of producing; generative; creative: a productive effort." I see no specifics regarding home improvement quotas, financial responsibilities, or a rate at which one must lose extra pounds.

Realistically, these things are part of life. But they don't have to become the center of your existence based on the idea that productivity is equal to upper-middle class misery.

You may plow through analytical assignments, research, and service calls before finishing your work day, but to be "productive" in the purest sense, you cannot leave out the "production" of relaxing psychological states and sensory satisfactions that complete you as a human. This might be irrelevant to your paycheck, but without ripping that new CD onto your i-pod, successfully making your family's favorite dessert, or enjoying one too many cocktails on your co-worker's fainting couch, your productivity is stripped to its minimum consideration.

Abstract examples, but if momentarily applied to your own life, more relevant ideas will materialize. This is how productivity relates to happiness - but a change in perspective on the subject is necessary to see it. Your ability to support your own sensory and emotional needs, as well as upkeep the atmosphere of your ideal environment, are directly applicable to how productive you are.

So, why are happy people more productive? Happy people are more positive. Productivity comes naturally to positive environments. There is a "yes I can" attitude attached to the individual who wakes smiling and falls asleep smiling. There are less visible limits to optimistic eyes. Stability goes hand in hand with capability. There is no rule denying the frowning, emotionally frenzied population from getting things done, but when "productivity" means more than task-eliminating, it becomes evident which perspective is fighting the winning battle.

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