Nature as the Ultimate Productivity Tool: A Reflection from Spicewood, Texas

In the past, I have used this newsletter to aid the relentless pursuit of productivity—constantly searching for tools to replace this and optimize that—but I realized we often overlook the most powerful resource available to us: nature itself.

Today, I come to you from Spicewood, Texas in what feels like a sanctuary. I've been reminded that nature is the original productivity tool. It's healing. It's literally natural. And it's free.

There's no cost to step outside, bare feet meeting soil, practicing earthing and grounding. Whether you subscribe to the science behind it or dismiss it as too "woo-woo", there's no denying the feeling of sunlight warming your body. That sensation, that energy, can sustain you, enhance your productivity, and serve as a reminder that you're a living, breathing human being full of vitality.

The property itself is a masterclass in harmonizing with nature. A spiral tower ascends to a yoga room, opening onto a balcony with river views. Below, there's an almost Star Wars-like adobe vibe—someone clearly curated this space where bed, wood, adobe, and fireplace coexist with carefully selected wooden pieces and pottery. Everything's placement feels intentional, down to the skylight that floods the space with natural illumination.

The lowest floor is a gallery of creativity—carvings, paintings, sculptures, wooden articles, and artifacts, with Himalayan salt lamps creating pools of warm light in various corners. We've come to call them stations: dedicated spaces for reading, writing, creative work, podcast listening, outdoor meditation, and river-watching. What unifies all these elements is their connection to nature—the luminous lighting, the wooden flooring, the views of swaying trees. The adobe construction itself speaks to this earth-connection.

While the amenities might make this place feel like a resort, its true beauty lies in its relationship with the natural world. This experience has reinforced for me the importance of maintaining our connection to nature rather than chasing endless technological solutions. Instead of seeking 107,000 ways to accelerate our work through software, AI, and various tools, we should consider how to better utilize our natural environment, wherever we are.

Even in this extraordinary property in Spicewood, Texas, the question remains: How connected to the earth can we be? How can we maximize our time as human beings? Consider the natural cycles—sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset ( Shankar Poncelet had a good chuckle hearing "moonset," but it is real!). We are cyclical beings ourselves, and there's wisdom in honoring these rhythms.

I've learned to align my activities with these natural patterns. During my less mentally active periods, I tackle mundane tasks, preserving my peak productive hours for meaningful work rather than entertainment. This approach respects both Earth's cycles and my own natural rhythms. Whether it's taking a moonlit bath, (this batch was prepared by Dr. Tara Murney ), or preparing for rest with an evening ritual, (rest and meditation), I honor these natural patterns and awaken energized, ready to make the most of my morning vitality.

Sometimes the best decisions come from choosing simplicity over technology. Last night, we had a choice between watching a VHS of Men in Black or enjoying dinner by the fireplace. Shankar and I opted for a "fireplace salad" outside, with nature as our soundtrack. There's something profound about choosing the crackle of fire and the whisper of wind over entertainment.

Nature isn't just a backdrop—it's our most fundamental productivity tool. By reconnecting with it, we can find a more sustainable, balanced way to achieve our goals while honoring our essential humanity.

Mindfully,

Antréa

In case you're interested in what I do, I'm the COO of YouGrow.Club. You can sign up for Growth Academy updates, insights, and challenges to grow your brand on LinkedIn. Feel free to share this reflection and join the conversation in the comments.