Do you remember The Jetsons the Hanna-Barbera cartoon that was the opposite of The Flintstones? Looking back, it feels almost romantic to imagine how people in the 1960s thought “life in the future” would look: robot helpers, flying cars, and gadgets to take care of life’s stresses.
At home, I’ve recently welcomed a robot vacuum into my life. It’s probably the only thing in my house that truly feels like something from The Jetsons and hearing it hum along while I work is a small, futuristic joy.
The promise and pressure of productivity tech
At work, many of us are discovering ways technology can help us get things done faster. But here’s the question:
| Will tech help us enjoy life more or just push us to do more work?
The rise of AI and automation holds amazing potential. But there’s also the risk of doubling our workload instead of reclaiming our time. The true promise of technology, like in The Jetsons, is about living better, not just busier.
While new AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot are exciting, we’re still only at the beginning of what’s possible. And yes, there’ll be new tools that change the game entirely.
But before we get too distracted by what’s next, it’s worth asking: are we making the most of the tools we already have?
Hidden power in the tools you use every day
Sometimes, the biggest productivity gains come from features sitting right under our noses.
Take this one from Microsoft Teams:
When you’re on a Teams call, open the Meeting Notes tab. Use the ‘@’ sign to assign each action point to the person responsible. Once you hit save, those actions automatically appear in that person’s Microsoft To Do list and even in Microsoft Planner if your team uses it. No more copying and pasting notes later!
Beyond the time saved, this approach helps teams end meetings with clarity and accountability. Everyone knows who’s doing what and by when — no more walking away wondering what the meeting was for. Productive meetings build a strong work culture.
Small changes, big impact
Microsoft tools often hide their most powerful features beneath the basics. With a bit of curiosity, you’ll uncover functions that save time, strengthen collaboration, and boost focus. And with CoPilot now in the mix, the potential keeps growing.
If you haven’t explored what’s already available to you, now’s the perfect time.
Take your team to the next level
If your team is ready to work smarter, not just faster, Think Productive Australia can help.
We offer a range of practical workshops designed to strengthen the human skills behind great technology — so your tools work for you, not the other way around.
Interested in learning more? Get in touch with us, we’d love to help your team step confidently into the future.
Inspired by Graham Allcott’s recent newsletter. Shared with you by Think Productive Australia.
