It’s time to shed those autumn leaves
…what trees know about productivity that your to-do list doesn't!
Every autumn, I watch the same miracle happen outside my office window. Trees drop millions of leaves without a single productivity app, moment of guilt, or motivational TED talk. Meanwhile, I'm sitting inside clinging to a 47-item to-do list, three half-finished projects I started in 2023, and enough browser bookmarks to crash my laptop. The contrast is almost embarrassing.
As a productivity coach, I spend my time helping people optimise their workflows and change what's not working. But watching autumn unfold each year has taught me something: sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop doing things altogether.
Nature has been running the ultimate productivity masterclass for millions of years, and we've been too busy checking our notifications to notice.
The science behind nature's productivity system
Here's what's actually happening when trees shed their leaves:
Trees don't shed their leaves because they're giving up or being lazy. They do it because maintaining those leaves through winter would literally kill them. Each leaf requires energy, water, and nutrients that become scarce in colder months. So trees make a calculated decision: let go of what's no longer sustainable to preserve what's essential.
And I needed to research this bit: scientists call this process "abscission" – the deliberate shedding of parts that are no longer beneficial. The tree forms a protective layer at the base of each leaf stem, cutting off the flow of nutrients until the leaf naturally falls away.
It's not random. It's not emotional. It's strategic resource management at its finest.
Sound familiar? It should. Because we desperately need to learn the art of ‘strategic abscission’ in our own lives.
What trees know about productivity
1. You don't have to be "on" all the time
Trees get something we've completely forgotten: not every season is hustle season.
In spring and summer, trees are basically the overachievers of the plant world – pumping out new leaves, growing like crazy, showing off with flowers. But come autumn? They're like "Nope, we're done. Time to chill."
Meanwhile, we're over here trying to be January gym-goer enthusiastic every single month of the year. Then we wonder why we're burnt out by December when we've been trying to "crush our goals" non-stop since New Year's Day.
Reality Check: Some months are for going all out. Others are for maintaining. And some are just for surviving. All of that is completely normal and actually smart.
2. Trees Are Ruthless
Trees don't keep leaves for sentimental reasons. That beautiful red maple leaf that was doing great work all summer? Gone by October. Not because it failed or wasn't good enough, but because keeping it would literally drain the tree's resources.
Meanwhile, we're over here keeping commitments that stopped sparking joy years ago. We attend events we don't enjoy because we signed up once in 2019. We maintain subscriptions to apps we never use because what if we need them someday? We say yes to projects that make us want to hide under our desks.
Reality Check: If it's draining more energy than it's giving, it's probably time to let it go. Yes, even if it's a "good" thing. Yes, even if people will notice.
3. Trees Don't Write Breakup Letters to Their Leaves
Have you ever seen a tree agonising over whether to drop a leaf? "But what if this leaf thinks I don't appreciate everything it did for me this summer? What if the other trees judge me for letting go first?"
Nope. When it's time, the leaf just... falls. No drama, no lengthy explanations, no guilt spirals.
We, on the other hand, will spend three weeks crafting the perfect "stepping back from this group" email and then lose sleep wondering if we hurt someone's feelings.
Reality Check: Most endings don't need dissertations. Sometimes you can just quietly stop doing something without a whole production about it.
4. Trees Plan Their Exits Like Pros
Trees don't suddenly panic in November and think, "Oh crap, winter's coming! Quick, drop everything!" They started preparing for this months ago with changes you couldn't even see.
By the time you notice leaves falling, the tree has already redirected its resources, sealed off the connections, and prepared its core systems. It's the most organised breakup in nature.
We tend to wait until we're completely overwhelmed before making changes. We suffer through terrible situations until we finally explode with "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE" and quit everything dramatically at 2 AM on a Tuesday.
Reality Check: Start your transitions before you're desperate. If something's not working, begin stepping back gradually instead of waiting until you hit your breaking point and have to burn everything down
Ready to channel your inner tree? Here's how to apply autumn's wisdom to your productivity:
The Great Autumn Audit
Just like trees preparing for winter, it's time for your seasonal review. Ask yourself:
What activities, commitments, or projects are draining more energy than they're providing?
What felt important six months ago but no longer aligns with your current goals?
Where are you expending effort out of habit rather than intention?
What would you naturally let go of if you weren't worried about what others might think?
The Three-Category Sort
Trees don't keep some leaves "just because." Channel this clarity with a simple sorting system:
Keep (Your Trunk and Roots): Core commitments that align with your values and major goals
Seasonal Keep (Your Evergreen Needles): Activities that serve you year-round but might need adjustment
Let Go (Your Deciduous Leaves): Anything that was useful in a past season but no longer serves your current growth
For your own "leaf shedding":
Start saying no to new requests in categories you want to minimise
Gradually reduce your involvement rather than making dramatic announcements
Have honest conversations about stepping back from commitments
Trust that good things can end without drama or extensive justification
The Winter Preparation Mindset
Trees use autumn to prepare for a restful, restorative winter. What if instead of dreading slower seasons, you planned for them?
Build buffers into your schedule for unexpected demands
Create systems that work even when you're not at full capacity
Identify your "root system" – the foundational habits that keep you grounded when everything else falls away
Your Autumn Action Plan
This week, try this simple tree-inspired experiment:
Take inventory: List everything currently demanding your time and energy
Ask the tree question: If maintaining this through the "winter" of your life would drain resources from what matters most, what would you naturally let go of?
Practice one small release: Pick something small and let it go without explanation or guilt
Notice the space: Pay attention to the mental and emotional space that opens up
Redirect your energy: Pour the freed-up resources into your "root system" – the relationships, habits, and goals that truly nourish you
The Bottom Line: Embrace Your Inner Tree
Trees have mastered the art of productive letting go because they understand a fundamental truth: you can't grow new things without releasing old ones.
Every autumn is nature's reminder that productivity isn't just about addition – it's about strategic subtraction. It's about trusting that what's truly meant to stay in your life will weather the seasons, while having the wisdom to release what's served its purpose.
So maybe it's time to stop fighting autumn in your own life. Stop clinging to the commitments, habits, and obligations that are no longer helping your growth. Trust that letting go creates space for what wants to emerge next.
After all, no tree has ever looked at its bare branches in winter and thought, "I've failed." They know they're not empty – they're prepared.
What's ready to fall away? What beautiful colours might be revealed when you stop using so much energy holding onto what no longer helps?
Your most productive season might be just one graceful letting-go away.
As someone who has been there (and still gets totally sidetracked by shiny new commitments!), I know how difficult it can be to figure out what stays and what goes. I work really hard to operate productively, but that doesn't mean I'm immune to taking on too much or clinging to things past their expiry date.
Sometimes we all need someone to help us see which leaves are ready to fall – and if you need support picking up those leaves and figuring out what to do next, that someone could be me. Drop me a message or check out my productivity coaching services. Because sometimes the most productive thing you can do is ask for help letting go.
