In this Productivity like a Pro, Tom Solid and Paco Cantero dive into a real-life disruption—a major power outage across Spain—and how it put their productivity systems to the test. The discussion explores the importance of building resilient systems, staying calm in the face of chaos, and how a solid productivity framework can serve as an anchor during unexpected events.
The Reality of System Failures
Paco recounts the surreal experience of being caught in an unprecedented nationwide blackout in Spain. From traffic lights going dark to supermarkets struggling with basic operations, the incident highlighted how deeply modern life depends on functioning systems—especially digital ones. Yet, amidst the chaos, Paco found himself grounded thanks to a reliable productivity system that allowed him to shift quickly into a recovery mode.
From Disruption to Recovery
One of the key takeaways is the critical role of flexible systems in managing disruption. Rather than pushing forward blindly, Paco prioritized what truly mattered—communicating with his team, understanding the situation, and adjusting the workload accordingly. As he points out, forcing a system to function under unusual circumstances can lead to more harm than good. Instead, it’s about adapting and trusting the system to guide you back to stability.
Why Busy Professionals Need Robust Productivity Systems
Tom draws parallels to his experience during the COVID-19 outbreak, where his team thrived thanks to a well-established Project Management system in Asana. Because they had digitized their work and created a reliable workflow, their transition to remote work was smooth, even improving productivity. This reinforced the idea that structured systems aren’t just about organization—they’re about resilience and agility when circumstances change.
Sacrifices, Trade-Offs, and System Integrity
The conversation also touches on a crucial concept: not everything goes as planned, and that’s okay. Paco emphasizes the value of making intentional sacrifices—like skipping the publication of an article—in favor of maintaining control over shallow work and preserving the health of the system. A well-designed productivity system allows you to reprioritize, make informed trade-offs, and keep moving forward without chaos.
Accepting Failure and Continuous Improvement
The episode closes with a powerful reflection: even large-scale systems with vast resources can fail. Whether it’s Spain’s national power grid or a Formula One team with 1,000 employees, failure is a natural part of complex systems. The lesson for busy professionals? Embrace failure, learn from it, and continually refine your productivity system.
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