Well, let's dive into the discussion directly. To be honest and frank with you, I have not done any research into this topic, but had seen quite a few variants of individual productivity. To me, productivity is a function of many significant factors, one among them being the Value-Match: Individual Vs Organization.  If the two are working against each other – not mention the company/orgn will have to close down, if they are working on a common goal in mind, exceptionally successful (success as in generally accepted guidelines). But we normally see that large majority are in between the two extremes and a meager few are at the extremes. The reasons, I assume, are arising out of the mere lack of understanding ones aspirations and limitations, in terms of the value that she/he keeps or want to follow. And this is very fundamental or the most basic thing that we lack as a society! That's to have a basic purpose of serving someone at someplace. In essence, we lack a personal vision for ourselves and blame the system for having chosen to serve them – which I believe has a documented vision statement – whether we read it or notJ . The above statement might look like a 30k feet, motherhood, and apple-pie statement. So, let me climb down from 30k feet & come to reality. If someone's personal vision is to own and drive a Mercedes Benz at the age of 30, then his working pattern and the organization he/she is building should have to be in harmony with each other, meaning he/she should be able to draw enough money out of this venture (here, we assume that the person has taken all the limitations and risk factors when the vision was formulated), so that he/she is able to accumulate enough wealth to have acquired a Mercedes Benz.

But the problem we have today is not about what kind of vision or true intent of purpose we have on ourselves? The problem is, we don't even have a vision to pursue – however small or big that appears. If we don't even have a vision to pursue, we would certainly be groping in the dark in search of a candle when we must be looking for the Moon. So what's the problem of not having a vision? Not having a vision is equivalent to say = learning disadvantaged, blaming the system, boring, lack of motivation, unfriendly atmosphere, and lastly lack of faith and complete breakdown of trust. Once the trust breaks down, you can describe the situation as something like this "the end of an era of so and so", "the saga of so and so". Those are the phrases that can describe this context. Because, there is no more life left in that person's productivity toolkit, he/she is dead by all means – for himself, for the organization, etc.! I'm talking about this from a holistic perspective – from all different professions and individuals and or organizations.

Perhaps, some of you may be thinking, what shall we do? Can we overcome such situations? I don't have clear cut answers, but we can certainly start somewhere, that is to ask right questions to ourselves and engage in conversations with like minded people. To me, conversation is a starting point of any change that needs to be brought in. And any good conversation would start by asking the right questions (not the ones belowJ).

Firstly, and more fundamentally, why am I here?

When do I work on par (better) with my colleagues elsewhere – whether private/government/NGO?

What are the enabling conditions required for me to produce something of value (to me, my family, my company, my society and therefore country & world)?

What a system can do to inhibit my capabilities?

What can I do to overcome those system imposed inhibitions?

I think, these are good questions, if not the right ones, to be asked by each and every professional to himself or herself as a case for reflection and learning. To me, we as a society raised to follow someone's creations or produce, we or whole chunk of us never or hardly used our brain to co-create or produce something on our own – meaning we never questioned the status-quo.

Asking the above questions will be a good starting point for much of the mis-match. Answers to these questions will help him/her define why he/she is not productive. To me, the issue of productivity is not about the system, state/country or religion or caste. It's about the mismatch or mis-marriage of an inappropriate person to an inappropriate system (Now, the questions could be what's appropriate or inappropriate, again answers would differ hugely!).

To explain better, let me introduce a real story from my village (Kerala - Malappuram): I had a class-mate (Uthman, name changed) who was physically challenged and used to walk using his hands. He had 3 brothers and 1 Sister, all are physically well built. But this person, Uthman, unlike his brothers/sisters, never gave up his studies, even though his movement was controlled to the brim – but he used his inability to his advantage – he used this as enabler for him to sit and learn at home than getting around with the people, socialize and fail in exams. He, today, is the sole bread winner of his family, and sometimes his brother's family too. What I learnt is that, he never blamed the system for not supporting him, he never blamed God for not giving proper legs to walk? Neither had he blamed his Father or Mother to have delivered in this state or neither complaint to them for not buying him a three-wheeler. But he had a vision for himself, he had vision to see that he walks with a three wheeler with his own effort or handwork – today he has many of this and he may acquire a few more of this. He learnt driving three wheelers and today he has a three wheeler – Auto, that's rented out to two-legged neighbors who blame the system- What a paradox?

Today, Uthman lives with his wife and two children. He lives in his own house, much better than many of his brothers own. I can tell you from his face that he is happy man, a man with full of life, a man with full of self-esteem and real intent of purpose in life?

The point I'm driving home is, not point, but a few realizations on our strengths and weaknesses – that single awareness itself is a great step forward!

Thank you for bearing me till this boring stuff ends here!