CASE FILE: Productivity

Subject: Aileen Wuornos Known for: Highway roadside homicides and self-styled vigilante justice Estimated victims: 7 Operational period: 1989–1990

We’ve all been there: stuck on a grueling stretch of interstate with an unproductive partner who drains your energy while you’re just trying to make an honest living. In business, as on the highway, productivity is entirely about maintaining momentum. If you want to reach your destination, you must learn how to manage your transitions quickly, quietly, and with absolute finality.

First, practice radical decluttering. You cannot move forward if you are weighed down by excess baggage. If a project or partnership is stalling your progress, do not hesitate to pull over and drop it off. Travel light. A clean back seat and an empty trunk are the hallmarks of a professional who is always ready for the next venture.

Second, maintain complete control of the environment. When you invite someone into your workspace—or your vehicle—you must set the terms. The moment a client attempts to redirect the route or renegotiate the deal, they become a liability. Keep your primary tools close, ideally tucked away where they can be drawn in a single, fluid motion. When a negotiation goes south, terminate the relationship immediately. There is no sense in dragging out a dead-end transaction.

Finally, never underestimate the importance of a thorough wrap-up. A project is not truly finished when the primary action is complete. You must budget time to wipe the slate clean. If you leave fingerprints on your work, or fail to properly dispose of the remnants of your day, the consequences will eventually catch up to you. Clear the site, wipe down the dashboard, merge back into traffic, and look ahead.

File closed. Results pending.