Spoiler: you don’t have to be productive 24/7.
What is toxic productivity?
Toxic productivity is an unhealthy desire to list of kuwait cell phone numbers be effective at all costs – even when no one expects it from us. This phenomenon is similar to workaholism, but it has its own peculiarities. If, even after finishing work on a project, you feel guilty that you did not do enough – this is one of the manifestations of toxic productivity.
“One manifestation of toxic productivity is an obsession with radical self-improvement. This goal is unattainable—no matter how productive you are, you end up feeling guilty that you didn’t do more.”
– Emma Selby, Results Wellness Lifestyle Brand Medical Consultant
Toxic Productivity and the Pandemic
The pandemic-related abandonment of commuting and gaps in our calendars have given us more free time. And instead of using it for leisure or hobbies… we’ve started working even more. Daily pressures, new responsibilities, the need to be productive, and a general sense of uncertainty have blurred the boundaries between work and private life, making toxic productivity a side effect of the pandemic.
According to the Prodoscore study , in 2020 the productivity level of people working remotely increased by 5% – mainly due to working on weekends. Compared to 2019, in 2020 we worked 42% more on Saturdays and 24% – on Sundays.
Chris Bailey, author of Hyperfocus , emphasizes that even in better times, being productive required a lot of effort, let alone during a global crisis. That’s why it’s worth spending your free time to recharge your batteries, not fill gaps in your calendar.
Work as a safe place
The first days of the pandemic were difficult – productivity and this experience was new for the vast majority of people and caused a google adwords is much more than google lot of uncertainty. Those who managed to keep their jobs started working even harder to start feeling safe again.
“We could have used the time off to rest, but most of us took on additional responsibilities to restore our sense of self-worth”
– emphasizes psychologist Catherine Escher.
According to psychotherapist Theresa Mascardo , if your self-worth is based on how productive you are, you will quickly become caught up in the achievement drive. It will make you feel good for a moment, but then you will need more victories to feel worthwhile again.
The Illusion of Hustle Culture
“Hustle culture” is the perfect environment for toxic productivity. It’s a lifestyle where every waking hour is spent doing something “productive” productivity and—something that makes you proud of juggling a million things at once. Vacations are for the weak (and the less capable), and the fact that influential people like Elon Musk promote this culture only adds to its appeal.
In an article for the Australian Financial Review hong kong phone number Basecamp co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson notes that the people who benefit the most from hustle culture are not the people who work hard, but their managers and business owners. In light of the above, it may sound strange, but most often, leaders do not ask anyone to work at the limits of their own abilities.
Laurie Ruettimann , HR consultant and author of Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career , emphasizes: More often than not, toxic productivity stems from our approach to work, not the environment itself. In other words, most managers don’t care how hard you work. What matters is the result.
According to a study published in Occupational Medicine, overtime directly affects mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Even if your overtime is paid, consider whether it’s worth all the side effects of overwork.
Most of us have bought into the idea that we have to work long hours in difficult conditions. But should it continue to be that way? Here are some tips to help you resist toxic productivity.
#1 Admit the productivity and problem
Do you often feel guilty about your job? Do you think you should be doing more and that you waste too much time? Congratulations, you’ve got it. One more question: do you wake up in the morning feeling tired?
“Analyze how much energy you have when you get up: do you wake up on your own or do you turn off your alarm every time? You shouldn’t feel tired all the time – if you do, you’ve probably fallen into the trap of toxic productivity”