The Surprising Ways Productivity Might Be Toxic
The pandemic threw us all many curveballs, but one that I didn’t see coming was something called “toxic productivity.” I mean, I’m all about being productive. My entire business is built on helping people to be productive in ways that make work easier, more efficient, and more productive.
As a business owner, being productive is crucial to success. But when taken too far, it can not only damage your health and well-being, but it can actually reduce your productivity.
How do you know when you’ve crossed the line? And what can be done about it? What if that’s just your nature?
It’s important to examine all of this, for your own health and the health of your business.
When did this become a thing??
When the pandemic hit, many of us began to work from home and the boundaries began to blur between what was work and what was home.
Our lives were suddenly steeped in uncertainty. We found ourselves with time on our hands. And instead of luxuriating in those empty hours, we threw ourselves into learning new skills, upleveling our businesses, and staying busy.
Did you learn to make bread from scratch too?
Why did we do this?
Our foundations were shaken. We were striving for security.
And the “hustle culture” we live in is so pervasive we simply didn’t know how to handle the extra time.
But now that we’re back to a semi-normal state, the lingering effects of those blurred lines are distorting our thinking, and we may not even be aware of it.
What is toxic productivity?
We used to call it “workaholism.” But that old phrase doesn’t quite hit the nuances of toxic productivity. It’s the need to be productive at all times in order to feel good about ourselves, even at the expense of your home life, time with family, hobbies, or even sleep.
It’s tricky to spot because our culture rewards uber-productivity. Going the “extra mile” or “above and beyond” are seen as virtues. And they can be.
It becomes problematic when though the job is complete, you think you should have done more. Feelings of guilt and remorse override your sense of accomplishment. Your self worth is measured against what you’ve done today.
All work and no play…
I remember as a kid seeing stories on the news of Japanese businessmen dying from stress and overwork. The term “karoshi” was coined in the 1970s to describe death caused from overwork. Japan’s deeply conservitave workforce valued obedience and loyalty. To the detriment of their workers’ health.
Napping pods popped up to give exhausted workers a power nap to revive them so that they could…get back to work!
I’d like to think that we’re not living in that kind of toxic productivity culture, but it does beg the question:
How productive is too productive?
How do you know if you’re a natural born go-getter or a victim of toxic productivity?
Here are a questions to ask yourself to see if you need to reign in your busyness:
Do you wake naturally in the morning or hit the snooze button regularly?
Do you wake feeling tired and sluggish?
If so, have you decided that this is “just the way it is”?
If you said yes to these questions, remember that exhaustion doesn’t have to be your new normal. It could be a sign that you’re trapped in an overdoing-it cycle.
Do you add “extra” because you’re worried others will think you’re too concise or not thorough enough?
Do you ask yourself, “What should I be doing right now?”
Are you more comfortable doing than not doing?
Most of the consequences we fear are really stories we tell ourselves in our own heads. Will anyone really judge you for the amount of time you put into things?
Flag the idea that you have to “work hard” in order to justify getting paid, getting praise, or judging yourself to be successful. It’s the end product that counts. If you can do it in a short amount of time and still produce something valuable, so much the better!
People are wowed by what you produce, not how long it took you to do it.
Do you secretly feel your role is your main source of identity?
Do you put off self care, thinking it’s selfish, unnecessary, or a waste of time?
Do you hesitate to take vacation days?
These are signs that you need to practice some emotional detachment from your job.
Showing up, doing your best, demonstrating professionalism, and operating with integrity is enough.
Do you always feel what you do is never enough?
Are you rarely satisfied with what you’ve done?
These thoughts lead to feelings of guilt and frustration.
And those feelings keep you separated from those we love, distanced from our co-workers, and are actually counter-productive!
How can you get off the toxic productivity merry-go-round?
“Jane! Stop this crazy thing!” ~ George Jetson
Being consumed by toxic productivity is a bad deal for everyone. You’re actually less productive, and because you’re miserable, those who love you are miserable, too.
Here are some tips for getting back to healthy productivity:
Give yourself permission to discern. Not everything is at Defcon One. Give yourself permission to mull things over before leaping into action.
Create – and do – a morning ritual. Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or other calming activities set a great tone for the day.
Add other priorities to your to-do list. Instead of creating a solely work related task list, create goals for other important areas of your life. Put them on your calendar and incorporate them into your day.
Ask yourself what you can do so you’ll feel accomplished not just at work, but in areas like:
Exercise
Relationships
Spirituality
Food
Learning
Friendships
Focusing on these areas creates contentment.
Practice professional detachment. Remind yourself that the amount of hours you put into something doesn’t have anything to do with your self worth as a person. You are not your job, you’re not your projects, you’re not your outcomes.
Define your work boundaries. Be okay with setting a quitting time, even if there’s more to be done, tweaking to do, or an idea strikes you that would make the project just a bit better. Remember that rest, time with family, a walk with the dog, and a myriad of other equally important things await.
You are a human being. A well rounded person with a LIFE. And you get to choose how you want to lead the one and only life you get.
Vow not to become a victim of “karoshi.”
The Italians have a much better phrase, “Dolce far niente,” which means “how sweet to do nothing.”
So work. Play. Read. Relax. Enjoy nature. Embrace sweet moments of idleness.
If toxic productivity has taken root in your everyday life, Savvy Maven can help. Together we can explore where and how the lines got blurred, how to set boundaries that help you have a better work-life balance, and put systems in place that will serve as bumper guards, keeping you productive in healthy ways by setting priorities, for work and for life.
Contact me for a free consultation to see how Savvy Maven can help you live the balanced life you desire!