When Is Productivity Bad (and How to Stop Focusing on It)?
There are 525,600 minutes in a year.
Yet, time still runs out when you look at your to-do list.
Society spends significant time stuck in a productivity loop. You begin and end the day with work on your mind. The recent corporate culture shift from qualitative to quantitative assessments accelerated the obsession over output.
More and more management teams are assessing progress by hours, output, and profit. If organizations evaluate our performance by metrics, not motivation, the urge to work more increases. You’re invested in “doing more” for promotions, prestige, and inner satisfaction.
Workaholics stretch business hours by constantly plugging in through work emails and collaboration tools. Gradually professional commitments override quality time with loved ones.
As the work-life balance dwindles, you start experiencing high stress and frequent burnout. You also work less effectively when you’re churning out projects mindlessly.
Why is productivity bad for you?
Overworking, perfectionism, and continuous focus on output over self-care lead to toxic productivity. It can harm your overall health, cause distress, and affect your self-esteem. That’s because anything you do seems inadequate when you keep fixating on things left undone.
This article highlights warning signs of negative productivity and prevention tips.
The Paradox: When Is Productivity Bad for You?
Toxic productivity sneaks up in workplaces where output takes precedence over wellbeing. You might set unrealistic goals to impress colleagues or gain economic incentives. Alternatively, managers might enforce these expectations upon you.
In both cases, you find yourself working on an endless to-do list. It can hinder personal development and drain your energy in the long run.
Ever wondered why?
Modern business models keep traceable metrics to assess organizational performance. The race to outrank competitors eventually becomes a narrative of numbers. Hence, human capital becomes a clog in an overworked machine.
The Harvard Business Review states that “working long hours” backfires. Employee health gets lost in the chase to get a raise. Quality of work also declines as fatigue, mental strain, and pressure take over your brain. These factors can result in costly mistakes.
Individually, you may overlook crucial details to complete more tasks. Receiving negative feedback after spending hours planning and perfecting deliverables can lower your morale. You may also miss important deadlines when you bite off more than you can chew.
Consequently, you start losing interest in work and observe a decline in your health.
Here are tell-tale signs of toxic productivity:
A Lack of Focus Caused by Multitasking
Working on multiple projects simultaneously or in “rapid succession” can hinder progress. VeryWell Mind labels multitasking as a “productivity killer.”
It’s an illusion that makes it look like you’re working efficiently. You might have to repeat the tasks again to retain information if you’re simultaneously attending calls and checking emails. Likewise, going back and forth between projects can create inconsistencies.
Your brain also begins to feel muddled by overstimulation.
You might experience mental blocks and brain fog when the assigned tasks pile up. The persistence to continue working in this state can prove costly for you (and the company). You may miss crucial details and struggle to perform simple tasks.
Your desire to be productive by undertaking multiple tasks inhibits overall progress.
Increased Health Risks
Whether you work from the comfort of your house or an office, toxic productivity continues to rise. Continuously thinking about work and raising productivity goals can cause your body and mind to overwork. You find navigating stressful situations and anxiety-ridden thoughts of performing well become challenging.
When is productivity bad for health? If you can’t find time to rest and recuperate, you may suffer from health concerns. For example, a constant state of worry results in physical and mental health problems.
These include:
Gastrointestinal issues
Panic attacks
Anxiety and depression
Muscle tension
Headaches
Sleep deprivation
Fatigue
Weakened immune health
Overlooking these symptoms can lead to chronic diseases. Consequently, health challenges hurt professional performance. You might miss work to recover from these issues. Alternatively, you start observing a drain in energy and creativity compared to previous performances.
Stress, anxiety, and depression are a reason for this decline.
The Emergence of Low Motivation and Insecurities
Working for prolonged periods can kill motivation.
Chron reports that 18% of American employees “feel disengaged with work.” Monotonous routines, tedious tasks, and lack of challenges are reasons for this discontentment. Focusing on productive work days instead of fulfilling ones can zap out creative energy.
You may start questioning your self-worth and feel inadequate compared to coworkers that do more. That’s because you are caught up in an internal struggle. Social norms tell you to keep working harder to meet those productive targets.
Yet, deep down, you might still feel that something’s missing. It might be because your work no longer inspires or satisfies you.
The disconnection can show up in your performance. For example, you may complete tasks halfheartedly. Sometimes you may seek shortcuts instead of putting efforts into innovation to get the job done.
Subsequently, you may complete more tasks by working mindlessly. Yet, your professional and personal growth becomes stagnant during this productivity loop.
Lack of focus, poor health, and disengagement collectively signify the need for change. Otherwise, your fixation on productivity will rob you of dreams, ambitions, and quality of life.
The Alternative: How to Break Free from Toxic Productivity?
Anything in excess can harm you. Productivity works the same way. Maintaining a work-life balance can help you bring your life back on track. You can do this by tactfully setting boundaries between professional and personal commitments.
Resetting work practices and celebrating progress instead of output can promote positivity. There are different ways to adopt this mindset. It starts with the realization that what works for most people might not suit you.
Therefore, you should create personal standards for productivity. Set goals that are attainable, realistic, and flexible.
Here are a few steps that can help you shift your focus away from toxic productivity:
Reframe the Way You Measure Productivity
Don’t judge your achievements by numerical figures. Instead, look for progress and celebrate small victories.
For example, you may throw a pity party when you fail to complete assigned tasks. It forms a negative relationship with your professional life. You underestimate your talent and feel like you’re always “missing the mark.”
You may start fearing criticism from others because you’re hard on yourself.
Therefore, you should avoid negative self-talk when you cannot complete everything on your to-do list. Look for the positives and practice self-compassion by appreciating the work you managed.
Better yet, break down everyday goals. Setting smaller milestones makes you more mindful of your progress. This way, you enjoy what you do and worry less about the outcome.
Build Healthy Workplace Boundaries
The always-on culture makes us accessible to employers and clients. Due to this, you say “yes” to professional obligations beyond your capacity. That leads to more work and zero time for relaxation.
You neglect loved ones and personal commitments when this habit becomes a lifestyle.
How to avoid this?
You can reclaim time by declining requests, delegating responsibilities, and managing time better. Avoid checking emails and responding to work-related messages after hours. If you’re working from home, dedicate a small office space. Then make it a rule to stop thinking about work once you time out (or complete assigned projects).
Most importantly, ask for help when you feel overburdened. That way, your daily schedule will become more manageable. You’ll observe a positive change in your performance and overall job satisfaction when that happens.
Maintain a Work-Life Balance
Streamlining work activities allows you to focus on your well-being. Use the time to indulge in self-care and reconnect with loved ones.
Here are some suggestions:
Build healthier relationships.
Make time for your friends and families by arranging meet-ups, sending messages, or giving them a call whenever possible.
Unwind mindfully.
Unplug and engage in recreational activities that help you relax. It can include reading, knitting, gardening, art, and other creatively inclined activities.
Set personal development goals.
Work on yourself by caring for your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Enroll in community-based activities that offer opportunities to lead an active lifestyle.
These steps help you end the vicious cycle of toxic productivity. This way, you can power through a busy week without experiencing burnout.
Take the First Step Away from Toxic Productivity
When is productivity bad?
Toxic productivity occurs when workaholics and hustlers start chasing the unattainable, often at the cost of quality of life. This obsession leads to more stress, lower self-esteem, and discontentment.
You can counter these adverse effects by shifting your perception. For instance, instead of running after quantity, celebrate the quality of your work. Focus on projects that spark joy and keep your passion for the profession alive. Also, look for opportunities that teach you something instead of staying preoccupied with mundane routines.
More importantly, set boundaries to stop work from spilling into personal time. Say no to extra tasks, don’t overcommit, and delegate wherever possible. Use your free time wisely by taking care of your health and wellness.
Good luck!