Helena Sempere: 'The idea of more hours for productivity is perverse'

In a world obsessed with maximizing every minute, Helena Sempere, a Spanish pedagogue and consultant, offers a refreshing and much-needed counter-narrative. Her core message, delivered with a calm yet firm conviction, challenges the pervasive notion that life is about cramming more into each day. Sempere argues that this relentless drive for productivity is not just misguided but 'perverse,' ultimately robbing us of the very essence of living. She posits that when we feel overwhelmed, it's often because we're trying to do too much, unable to say 'no' to demands that don't align with our well-being.

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If life doesn't give it to you, it's perhaps because you want to do everything and don't know how to say no to anything.

Sempere's philosophy centers on the idea that true efficiency isn't about output; it's about intentionality and the quality of our experiences. Drawing on psychological research that links personal organization with reduced anxiety, she highlights the danger of efficiency without purpose. This can lead to emotional burnout, even if goals are met. Her approach encourages embracing pauses, enjoying leisurely meals, dancing, and making conscious choices about how we spend our time. As she aptly puts it, 'Being effective without enjoying is like going on a bullet train without windows.' This perspective resonates deeply within Spanish culture, where the value placed on personal relationships, leisure, and savoring life's moments often contrasts with the more work-centric cultures found elsewhere.

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What do we gain when one starts to organize their time better? Freedom. Clarity. Peace. It's not just about having more hours to be more productive. That idea is perverse. It's about having time to live. To read without looking at the clock, to eat without working at the same time, to look a child or a friend in the eye without thinking about the next meeting. Gaining time is gaining life.

From the perspective of La Nación, Sempere's insights are particularly relevant. We often see a cultural tendency in some parts of the world to equate busyness with importance, leading to a constant state of 'hustle.' Sempere's call to reclaim our time is a call to reclaim our lives. She reminds us that learning to say 'no,' to prioritize what truly matters—whether it's spending time with loved ones, pursuing a passion, or simply resting—is not a sign of weakness but of strength and self-awareness. Her work empowers individuals to break free from the tyranny of the to-do list and cultivate a life rich in meaning, not just in accomplishments. This is a perspective that values the human experience above all else, a sentiment we champion.

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The most common is not valuing it. Not realizing that every minute we give to...