"There is a purpose for everything."
"It's only a couple of weeks of working extra hours; the situation will eventually calm down."
"As long as my team is able to maintain this level of performance, I am also capable of doing so!"
In the modern world, being productive and having a positive outlook are often praised. However, if not monitored, constant busyness can can turn into an uncontrollable need to feel productive at all times, at all costs. The term used to describe this is Toxic productivity.
What Does Toxic Productivity Mean?
The concept of toxic productivity revolves around an unhealthy fixation on being productive, which can result in exhaustion, tension, and detrimental effects on one's overall wellness. This mindset entails an incessant drive to constantly surpass oneself, often at the cost of personal limits, work-life equilibrium, and emotional well-being.
Recognize the Indicators of Danger
It is essential to identify the red flags of toxic productivity in order to effectively address and reduce its negative impact. Are you at risk of being affected? Keep an eye out for these frequently observed markers:
Unending self-pressure: Toxic productivity is demonstrated through an incessant desire to complete tasks, even when they are not needed or harmful. This can involve creating unattainable objectives and experiencing feelings of shame or inadequacy when those objectives are not achieved.
Ignoring one's own well-being: Being overly fixated on productivity can result in disregarding self-care, such as missing meals, sacrificing sleep, or giving up leisure time. As a consequence, this can lead to physical and mental fatigue, ultimately causing a deterioration in one's overall well-being.
Difficulty in Disconnecting: The toxic concept of productivity can make it challenging to disconnect from work. Consistently checking emails, working during personal time, and experiencing guilt for taking breaks can lead to an unhealthy balance between work and personal life, ultimately hindering one's ability to unwind.
Perfectionism: It is crucial to continuously strive for excellence. However, aiming for flawlessness without recognizing one's own limitations can indicate a harmful focus on productivity. If left unaddressed, this mentality can result in a fear of not meeting expectations, self-judgment, and a diminished sense of self-value.
It is important to recognize that being excessively optimistic can potentially have negative consequences.
A good mindset is advantageous in the workplace, but an overly positive outlook can worsen the adverse consequences of toxic productivity. Here's the reasoning behind it:
Having an overly optimistic outlook can hinder your ability to recognize the indications of burnout and excessive workload. Trusting that everything will turn out well may discourage you from seeking assistance or implementing necessary adjustments.
Having an extremely optimistic outlook can lead to the mistaken belief that taking care of oneself and allowing time for rest are not essential. This mentality reinforces the notion that constantly pushing oneself is the sole route to achievement, disregarding the significance of maintaining a well-balanced work-life harmony.
Excessive optimism can result in the suppression of negative feelings and a focus on being productive rather than addressing emotional well-being, which may ultimately contribute to heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and a deterioration of mental well-being.
Ways to Safeguard Against Harmful Productivity
Luckily, there are measures you can implement in order to shield yourself from the adverse consequences of toxic productivity:
Setting Boundaries: Clearly define the boundaries between work and personal life. Allocate specific time for relaxation, pursuing hobbies, and bonding with family and friends. Limit working beyond designated hours unless it is absolutely essential.
Emphasize self-care: Participate in actions that support physical, mental, and emotional health. Consistent physical activity, nutritious eating, mindfulness exercises, and adequate rest can aid in achieving equilibrium and fighting against burnout.
Embrace mindfulness: Cultivating techniques for mindfulness can aid in staying in the moment and alleviating stress. Mindfulness practices, like meditation or deep breathing, offer a necessary pause and bring attention to the current moment.
Find Assistance: When feeling overwhelmed, it is important to seek support from colleagues, friends, or professionals. By sharing your experiences and seeking guidance, you can build a supportive network that can assist in reducing the harmful impacts of toxic productivity.
Speak with your supervisor: In case procrastination or personal work habits are not to blame, arrange a meeting with your boss. Keep a record of your concerns and then discuss your priorities, objectives, workload, and job performance. Clarify how stress is affecting your mindset and productivity and request your boss's assistance in resolving the issue.
The goal of productivity should be to improve your life, not to take over it.