A very interesting post, and one which I'm compelled to expand on a titch.

If your (1) 'productivity' isn't furthering your goals I can't imagine why you would call it efficient. If anything, using more of your time and energy on things that don't matter to you is very nearly the opposite of efficiency as far as I'm concerned. Productive people shouldn't be wasting their time; that seems almost as obvious to me as the idea that rationality shouldn't make your decision making poorer.

In terms of gratitude, basic etiquette is really astonishingly rare considering how effective it is (2) at getting what you want. People love to be thanked, love having their opinions considered, love to be praised; they don't seem to care/notice if the politeness is affected or genuine. Politeness costs virtually nothing in terms of cognitive resources, just a bit up-front in forming the habit, and is an incredibly useful tool. It always surprises me how few people grasp that.

1. I'm using the universal "you" here; this isn't directed at the OP or any other individual person.
2. Although, then again, it's rarity might be the reason it's so effective for me.