You hear about Notion as a great productivity app, a software that can fix all your distractions and serve as a second brain to increase your productivity and creativity.

Yet, here you are, tracking various habits, journaling, and organizing endlessly leading to productivity porn.

If this sounds like you, here are three common issues and how to tackle them.

Reason #1 Steep Learning Curve

Notion has a steep learning curve, requiring significant time to master. You may need to take courses or watch tutorials, which seems counterproductive when you want to immediately increase productivity.

Solution: Start simple by picking a use case and learn how to adapt Notion for that use. For example, if you’re using it for note-taking then learn only things needed for that.

Reason #2: Distraction from Core Tasks

It’s counterintuitive, but starting with Notion to boost productivity can lead to being overwhelmed by its numerous features and customization options. You may end up customizing layouts and workflows instead of getting actual work done.

Solution: Start with simple pre-made free templates and use them to see if they suit your needs. Keep your Notion setup as simple as possible aligned to your core needs.

Reason #3: Digital Hoarding

When I started using Notion, I meticulously organized, stored, and tagged every piece of information, which became overwhelming.

Solution: Adopt an intentional strategy to capture only relevant notes. Delete unused notes after a set period, such as 3 or 6 months.

It's easy to fall into the trap of fake productivity with Notion. If you find yourself struggling, consider adapting Notion to your needs or switching to simpler alternatives like Apple Notes or Google Keep.

What is your biggest challenge with Notion?