Busy Doesn’t Equal Productive: What 35 Years of Data Reveals About Your Team’s Time.

Nicholas Kuhne
3 days ago
3 min read

Why Being Busy Isn’t the Same as Being Productive

If your team looks like they’re constantly in motion but results don’t reflect it, you’re not alone. In this episode of From Startup to Wunderbrand, Nicholas Kuhne sits down with Mark Ellwood, founder of PACE Productivity and creator of the TimeCorder device. With over 35 years of real-world time-tracking data under his belt, Mark doesn’t just talk about time management—he’s measured it, analysed it, and translated it into actionable strategies.

The Data Doesn’t Lie: Most Workers Only Spend 20% of Time on Top Priorities

One of the most eye-opening takeaways from Mark’s research is that even the most well-meaning, hardworking employees only spend about 20% of their time on their top priority tasks. Women do slightly better at 22%, men sit at 18%. The rest? Swallowed by admin, emails, shifting direction, and misaligned meetings.

In a world of Slack pings, overflowing inboxes, and meetings that could’ve been an email, this stat hits hard.

“Companies talk about productivity, but they’re often addicted to free overtime from burnt-out staff,” Mark says.

The Real Villain: Organisational Chaos, Not Lazy Employees

Mark is clear: most time waste isn’t because employees are slacking. It’s because:

Other departments aren’t aligned
Managers keep changing direction
People are undertrained or under-briefed

Solution? Focus less on micromanaging hours, and more on clearing the path for employees to focus.

"Better delegation, reduced admin, and training around tools like email and meeting management can radically improve how time is spent."

Gender & Time: Why Women Outperform Men in Time Management

While not the focus of his work, Mark’s data did reveal something interesting: women are more efficient with their time. They:

Work slightly fewer hours per week (45 vs 48 for men)
Shift tasks more frequently (shorter average task duration)
Spend more time on mission-critical work

This isn’t about competition; it’s a signpost. Companies should be paying attention to how people work, not just how long they work.

Meetings: Your Silent Productivity Killer

It wouldn’t be a Mark Ellwood episode without taking a swing at meetings. The average knowledge worker drowns in them. Mark’s rule?

"If you go to a bad meeting, you share responsibility. You have the right and responsibility to improve it."

That means asking for an agenda, clarifying decisions, and even calling out bad meeting habits. It’s about accountability at every level.

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure

Using his TimeCorder device, Mark has gathered precise time-use data across industries and roles. While full-on surveillance software creates employee resistance, short-term, anonymous studies (like his 2-week TimeCorder projects) actually empower people.

“Once you show people where their time is going, they start making better decisions. It’s not about blame. It’s about clarity.”

Bonus: Productivity in Rhyme?

In a surprising twist, Mark has turned his productivity teachings into rhyming couplets. His book The Poetic Path to Getting More Done offers everything from SMART goals to procrastination advice—in poem form.

He’s also launched MakeMeAPoem.com, where users can auto-generate poems for appreciation, time management, or even love.

Where to Find Mark Ellwood

Website: https://getmoredone.com
Poem Generator: https://makemeapoem.com
Book: The Poetic Path to Getting More Done

Final Thoughts

The lesson? Busy isn’t better. Measured, meaningful work is. Whether you're a founder juggling chaos or a manager watching your team spin wheels, it's time to rethink time.

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