Like so many other people, I’ve also fallen into this trap. For years I’ve been on the lookout for trends and hacks that will help me work faster and more efficiently—and also trends that help me help others to be faster. I’ve experimented with various strategies and tools. And, while some of these strategies and solutions have been extremely useful—without parsing out what you need quickly—it’s counterproductive.
Sometimes you end up spending more time focusing on how to be productive instead of actually being productive.
This Is My Mantra:
I proudly say, “I am addicted to productivity—I want to be addicted to productivity—productivity is my life and my mission—and I also want to find the best way to lead others through productivity to their best selves.Addiction to Productivity Is Real
Dr. Sandra Chapman, director of the University of Texas at Dallas Center for BrainHealth points out that the brain can get addicted to productivity just as it can to more common sources of addiction, such as drugs, gambling, eating, and shopping.Despite the harmful consequences, addiction is considered by some experts as a brain disease that affects the brain’s reward system and ends in compulsive behavior. Regardless, society tends to reward productivity—or at least to treat it positively. As a result, this makes the problem even worse.
“It’s seen like a good thing: the more you work, the better,” adds Chapman. “Many people don’t realize the harm it causes until a divorce occurs and a family is broken apart, or the toll it takes on mental health.”
Because of the occasional negative issues with productivity, it’s no surprise that it is considered a “mixed-blessing addiction.”
“A workaholic might be earning a lot of money, just as an exercise addict is very fit,” explains Dr. Mark Griffiths, distinguished professor of behavioral addiction at Nottingham Trent University. “But the thing about any addiction is that in the long run, the detrimental effects outweigh any short-term benefits.”
There Are 3 “Distinct Extreme Productivity Types
Cyril Peupion, a Sydney-based productivity expert, has observed extreme productivity among clients at both large and medium-sized companies. “Most people who come to me are high performers and very successful. But often, the word they use to describe their work style is ‘unsustainable,’ and they need help getting it back on track.”- Efficiency obsessive. “Their desks are super tidy and their pens are probably color-coded. They are the master of ‘inbox zero.’ But they have lost sight of the big picture, and don’t know the difference between efficiency and effectiveness.”
- Selfishly productive. “They are so focused on their own world that if they are asked to do something outside of it, they aren’t interested. They do have the big picture in mind, but the picture is too much about them.”
- Quantity-obsessed. “They think; ‘The more emails I respond to, the more meetings I attend, the more tasks I do, the higher my performance.’ As a result, they face a real risk of burnout.”
The Warning Signs of Productivity Addiction
Here are a few questions you should ask yourself if you think you may be succumbing to productivity addiction. After all, most of us aren’t aware of this until it’s too late.- Can you tell when you’re “wasting” time? If so, have you ever felt guilty about it?
- Does technology play a big part in optimizing your time management?
- Do you talk about how busy you are most of the time? In your opinion, is hustling better than doing less?
- What is your relationship with your email inbox? Are you constantly checking it or experience phantom notifications?
- When you only check one item off your list, do you feel guilty?
- Does stress from work interfere with your sleep?
- Have you been putting things off, like a vacation or side project, because you’re “too swamped?
Overcoming Your Productivity Addiction
Thankfully, there are ways to curb your productivity addiction. And, here are 9 such ways to achieve that goal.1. Set Limits
Just because you’re hooked on productivity doesn’t mean you have to completely abstain from it. Instead, you need to establish boundaries.2. Create a Not-to-Do List
Essentially, the idea of a not-to-do list is to eliminate the need to practice self-discipline. Getting rid of low-value tasks and bad habits will allow you to focus on what you really want to do as opposed to weighing the pros and cons or declining time requests. More importantly, this prevents you from feeling guilty about not crossing everything off an unrealistic to-do list.3. Be Vulnerable
By this, I mean admitting where you could improve. For example, if you’re new to remote work and are struggling with this, you would only focus on topics in this area. Suggestions would be how to create a workspace at home, not getting distracted when the kids aren’t in school, or improving remote communication and collaboration with others.4. Understand Why You Procrastinate
Often, we procrastinate to minimize negative emotions like boredom or stress. Other times it could be because it’s a learned trait, underestimating how long it takes you to complete something or having a bias towards a task.5. Don’t Be a Copycat
Let’s keep this short and sweet. When you find a productivity app or technique that works for you, stick with it.6. Say Yes to Less
Across the board, your philosophy should be less is more.That means only download the apps you actually use and want to keep (after you try them out) and uninstall the ones you don’t use. For example, are you currently reading a book on productivity? Don’t buy your next book until you’ve finished the one you’re currently reading (or permit yourself to toss a book that isn’t doing you any good)—and if you really want to finish a book more quickly, listen to the book on your way to work and back.
7. Stop Focusing on What’s Next
“In the age when purchasing a thing from overseas is just one click and talking to another person is one swipe right, acquiring new objects or experiences can be addictive like anything else,” writes Patrick Banks for Lifehack.- Think about your current lifestyle and the person you’re at this stage to help you identify what you aren’t satisfied with.
- By setting clear goals for yourself in the future, you will be able to overcome your addiction.
- Establish realistic goals.
- To combat addiction, you must be aware of what is going on around you, as well as inside your head, at any given time.
- Don’t spend time with people who have unhealthy behaviors.
- Hold yourself accountable.
- Keep a journal and write out what you want to overcome.
- Appreciate no longer being addicted to what’s next.
8. Simplify
Each day, pick one priority task. That’s it. As long as you concentrate on one task at a time, you will be less likely to get distracted or overwhelmed by an endless list of tasks. A simple mantra to live by is: work smarter, not harder.9. Learn How to Relax
“Sure, we need to produce sometimes, especially if we have to pay the bills, but, banning obsession with productivity is unhealthy,” writes Leo Babauta. “When you can’t get yourself to be productive, relax.” Don’t worry about being hyper-efficient. And, don’t beat yourself up about having fun.“But what if you can’t motivate yourself … ever?” he asks. “Sure, that can be a problem. But if you relax and enjoy yourself, you’ll be happier.”
“And if you work when you get excited, on things you’re excited about, and create amazing things, that’s motivation,” Leo states. “Not forcing yourself to work when you don’t want to, on things you don’t want to work on—motivation is doing things you love when you get excited.”
- Spend 5 minutes walking outside and breathe in the fresh air.
- Give yourself more time to accomplish things. Less rushing means less stress.
- If you can, get outside after work to enjoy nature.
- Play like a child. Even better? Play with your kids. And, have fun at work—maybe give gamification a try.
- Take the day off, rest, and do something non-work-related.
- Allow yourself an hour of time off. Try not to be productive during that time. Just relax.
- You should work with someone who is exciting. Make your project exciting.
- Don’t work in the evenings. Seriously.
- Visit a massage therapist.
- Just breathe.
It’s great to create and push forward—just remember it doesn’t mean that every minute must be spent working or obsessing over productivity issues. Instead, invest your time in meaningful, high-impact work, get into it, focus, put in big time and then relax.