I think that part of loving someone is caring for them. That means getting my work done in a timely manner, without distractions, so I don't have to take work home. If I ain't worried about work, I can worry about my lady instead.

I don't think love does either really. Not for me, anyway. While I can understand why women would become less productive because they're probably more likely to be focused on their relationship...at work...as opposed to doing other things, personally I'm going to do the same thing I always did. Whether one calls that productive or not is a total judgment call. And since I like my employer, let me say that I'm as productive as productive can get.

Well it's like this: when you're dating someone you LIKE your work improves because you have that extra pep in your heart and underwear. Tough tasks are fueled with more energy, and jobs that normally blow seem to blow a little lighter. When you're dating someone that's pure ROTTEN or find yourself in a relationship downturn, productivity at work will suffer. You're distracted, pissed, and distraught. Just try filing invoices when your man came home last night four hours late, smelling like Applebee's and perfume. 

...Applebee's?

I agree that your personal life reflects your productivity; if it's going well, you'll probably be more productive.  On the other hand, I think the early stages of a relationship, when they're on your mind a lot, can be just as destructive.  After all, you're not paying that much attention.

Watch out for those Applebee's waitresses! They'll steal your man.

Sometimes being single and miserable makes you more productive. You focus everything on work since it's all you have to fill the aching void and distract yourself from the fact that you'll die alone surrounded by an army of cats. "At least I have my career," you say to no one in particular since you live alone and the aforementioned cats do not understand English.

When you're in the early throes of dating, it's easy to get distracted and blow off work to spend all day in bed in a haze of sex, Thai food deliveries, and old "Buffy" episodes on Netflix Streaming. Eventually you get the balance back once you wake up and realize you're suddenly in a relationship and haven't been at work for three days.

I don't really have an answer to the question. I can't get beyond the concept of National Singles Week. Really? Are there any singles who want to celebrate this? "Whoo hooooo, I can't find a date! PARTY TIME!!"

Some of my most inspired creative projects and work successes have come when I've been completely and utterly single. One of the secrets to a happy life is parlaying painful times into something useful. So yes, Cary, cheers to all those singles out there working hard (and productively!) for the money.