Humans excel at putting pressure on themselves – the pressure to perform and the pressure to be perfect. An extreme work ethic links identity and self-worth to performance and in 2020, it could develop into the perfect storm of a happenstance that serves to demotivate. A once conscientious worker becomes demotivated as one’s raison d’etre becomes intertwined with the uncertainty of one’s employment. Productivity is a measure of the work we do, but it can turn toxic when we place unreasonable demands or expectations on ourselves to excel.
So, let’s talk toxic productivity – how do we bridge the need to hustle with the need to be good to ourselves?
Set up boundaries for work/life balance
Without clear boundaries between work and play, there’s going to be an overlap and work will seem to be all you’re doing at some point. If there’s no balance, you’re going to see your personal and social life get quite affected as you may be viewed as unreliable or absent.
Take frequent pauses/ breaks
This is not only in terms of taking a walk, which is quite helpful for a good stretch and some fresh air, but also in terms of taking a step back from things that overwhelm you. Uninstalling apps that drain your energy would be doing yourself a favour.
Establish proper routines
Getting a regular schedule in place is important, especially in times of Covid-19, where most workplaces are at home. Days of the week get blurry and without a proper routine, you’re going to end up a ‘workaholic’.
Keep your values close
By taking note of what is important to you and what you want to keep on, you would have a guide to what you want your life to look like. Living the values that you hold dear reminds you that you are more than the work you do.
Reward yourself
You might feel some guilt whenever there’s a bit of time on your hands because you are used to spending most of your day in a work environment. So go give yourself a little treat – have a yummy dessert, watch a movie, sleep in!
These are stressful times and we don’t need to make it worse for ourselves as we try getting through them. All we can do is use what we have in our control and check in daily to see how we’re doing. We don’t want to repeat old, unhelpful patterns.