People in the workplace tend to value productivity. Getting things done efficiently and crossing off tasks on a list feels good.
However, when focusing on productivity and achieving your desired outcomes is the only way you feel validation, it can cause imbalance and burnout.
In a Fast Company article, Israa Nasir, author of “Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World That Always Demands More,” shares the following common toxic productivity habits to avoid.
- Overcommitting. It may be viewed as positive to fill your calendar with meetings, calls and events. However, this quickly can become unhealthy. Nasir says: “We think it’s because we’re hustling and we’re movers and shakers, but it’s really being the hamster on the wheel of doing.”
- Succumbing to emotions. Many people may feel guilty about enjoying free time—such as watching TV or sleeping in—and feel the need to look for something productive to do. For these people, resting triggers shame. Nasir says: “Usually, we jump into avoidance to process shame. What better way to avoid an emotion than by busying yourself? It motivates us to skip rest, relaxation and just being.”
- Multitasking. Multitasking quickly can lead to feeling overwhelmed. Nasir says: “There is no true way to multitask. We think we’re doing multiple things at the same time; but at the cellular level, our brain is switching between tasks really fast, and it becomes very taxing.”
Nasir recommends changing toxic productivity habits by starting small. Think about all the things you do every week and practice under-committing one thing. It also can help to check in with yourself daily and reflect on why you do the things you do. In addition, Nasir suggests monotasking at least one thing per day; for example, put down your phone when you’re talking to someone, or do not scroll on your phone while watching TV.
“One of the biggest byproducts of productivity for the sake of productivity is that we’re not in service of passion, purpose or value,” Nasir says. “We all deserve to live engaged lives; lives that we feel excited about and have some hand in designing.”
