The Power of Productivity and Self-Belief

Last week, I had the privilege of delivering my Productivity and Self-Belief Masterclass at the Safety Day for NSG Pilkington Glass in Lathom, UK.
 
It was an incredible event, 45 people in the room and more joining online, filled with energy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to learn how to work smarter, strengthen self-belief, and create more balance in daily life.
 
 
About NSG Pilkington Glass:
 
NSG Pilkington is part of the global NSG Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of glass and glazing products for the architectural, automotive, and technical glass markets. With operations in over 30 countries, the company is known for its innovation, safety culture, and commitment to sustainability.
 
The Lathom, UK site, near Ormskirk, is a major centre for manufacturing and research, developing high-performance, energy-efficient glass solutions.
 
A huge thank-you to John Wilgar and Marie Gresko for inviting me to take part and for the wonderful relationship we’ve built. Working with people who value growth, wellbeing, and connection as much as performance is always a joy.
 
This Safety Day went far beyond physical safety. It was also about mental safety, developing the clarity, confidence, and control that protect our wellbeing as much as any hard hat or safety barrier.
 
 
Productivity and Self-Belief: A Winning Combination
 
We explored how productivity and self-belief feed each other. When you focus on what truly matters and complete meaningful work, you feel stronger and more capable. That confidence, in turn, gives you the drive to stay productive even when challenges arise.
 
The team responded brilliantly to practical tools such as: 

• The Eisenhower Matrix, to separate what’s important from what’s merely urgent.
• Time-blocking, to protect deep-focus time.
• Micro-wins, celebrating daily progress to build long-term momentum. 

As one participant said, “When I focus on what matters and finish it, I feel unstoppable.”
 
 
A True Story of Self-Belief: Wanda Díaz-Merced
 
Few people demonstrate the power of self-belief more than Wanda Díaz-Merced, a Puerto Rican astrophysicist who lost her sight while studying space radiation. For most scientists, blindness would have ended their research career, but Wanda refused to accept that.
 
Instead of giving up, she decided to reinvent how she worked. She began converting astronomical data into sound, a process called sonification. By listening to patterns in the data, she could “hear” what other scientists saw, identifying star explosions, radiation bursts, and cosmic trends through pitch and rhythm.
 
Her innovation not only saved her own career; it opened new possibilities for data analysis across science. Today, Wanda Díaz-Merced is recognised internationally for pioneering inclusive, creative approaches to astrophysics.
 
Her journey was built on productivity through purpose and belief through persistence. Every day, she focused on one small step forward, learning new code, testing sounds, refining her system, until her vision (in every sense of the word) became reality.
 
Her story reminds us that productivity isn’t about perfection or speed. It’s about using what you have, where you are, and believing that progress is possible even when circumstances change.
 
 
Four Key Learnings from the NSG Pilkington Session 

• Self-belief turns challenges into creativity. Confidence fuels innovation.
• Focus creates freedom. Clear priorities reduce stress and build momentum.
• Purpose drives productivity. When work has meaning, motivation follows naturally.
• Progress, not perfection. Consistent small steps lead to lasting results. 

Just like Wanda Díaz-Merced listening to the stars, each of us can find new ways to turn obstacles into breakthroughs when we work with clarity, purpose, and an unshakable belief in ourselves
 
 
Thoughts for the week 

1. What obstacle could you reframe as an opportunity if you approached it with renewed self-belief?
2. Which productivity habit could help you feel more in control and less reactive this week?
3. How might your life change if you focused on progress, not perfection, every single day? 

The day at NSG Pilkington Glass was a brilliant reminder that when people combine focus, structure, and belief in their potential, extraordinary things happen. 
 
Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and keep believing.
 
Warm regards

John

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