On: Toxic Productivity

Rise and grind.

Hustle harder.

Do this one thing to be 10x more productive.

Entrepreneurs and millionaires do this one thing to be more productive.

This stuff is pushed at us all the time.

The secret trick to getting more done, the subconsious message that we are not being as productive as we could be, that we could do more, get more, have more shiny things.

Why? Why be more productive just for the sake of it? Why push yourself, risk burning the candle too far, neglecting the things that are actually important for the things that we are told are, but are simply marketing mush for someones company.

Step back, slow down, reassess.

Turn the question around. Am I doing enough to be satisfied? Do you need the second job, the productivity hack, the apparent short cut? If you do for financial reasons, then accept that, it sucks, especially if it is out of your control. If you are doing it to keep up with the challenges at where you work, are the pressures on you realistic or are the people above you using you?

Any why are we talking about this at a health clinic? Because that pressure to be “more” can have negative consequences on your mental and physical health. Yes, pushing to complete a specific goal is sometimes worth the expended effort and the recovery time after, but to keep that up endlessly leads to the wheels falling off at some unspecified time in the future, which can make you more of a liability.

Instead, aim for minimal effective dose. The least output required to exceed your needs. This leaves some in the metaphorical tank for situations beyond control, develops stress resilience and still allows you to meet the expectations on you.

Don’t be a liability.

Do that which satisfies you.