Are You Addicted to Productivity?

Back in 2013, Matt Curtis wrote that we sometimes ‘chase productivity so much that it makes us…unproductive.”

If you were to Google productivity today, you’ll be presented with around 1,420,000,000 results. Needless to say, if you go down that route, you’ll quickly get swamped with an endless amount of information.

This can be helpful if you want to try out new strategies and techniques, but if you don’t figure out which are useful to you fast, going through lots of results to find techniques to help you work more efficiently can prove counterproductive.

All too often, the result is that we spend more time working out how to be productive than being productive.

You Can Get Addicted to Productivity

It turns out you can get addicted to productivity in the same way you can get addicted to shopping gambling or drugs. According to Dr. Sandra Chaman you may want the recognition higher productivity can bring but as you begin to crave more satisfaction, you can experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Fear.

It can turn into a form of compulsive behaviour that can be further exacerbated because society views it positively.

The problem is, most of us are unaware of the toll such an addiction can have on our mental health or how being addicted to productivity can damage our relationships with others.

Initially, you might display higher levels of productivity than someone who isn’t addicted to it. Still, there will come a time when your mental health and relationships begin to suffer and you’re not productive. If you don’t do anything at that stage to try to address the problem, there could be serious consequences for your health.

The Three Productivity Types

Cyril Peupion, a productivity expert based in Australia, has come up with three types of extreme productivity. Let’s look at each one before we cover the signs of productivity addiction.

Efficiency Obsessed – Typically, people who are efficiency-obsessed have very tidy workspaces and are well organised. They’ve mastered inbox zero. Unfortunately, they’ve also forgotten the big picture and are unaware of the difference between effectiveness and efficiency.

Check out “How to Manage Your Inbox Like a Pro” for some tips.  

Quantity Obsessed – People who’re quantity obsessed believe that the more they do, the better they’ll perform, whether that’s attending meetings, doing more tasks, or responding to more emails. Therefore, people who fall into this category are at higher risk of burnout. Read our post on burnout for more.

Selfishly Productive – These people are so absorbed in their world, that they’re not interested in taking on anything outside of their comfort zone. Their focus revolves too much around them so the picture they have in mind has become distorted.

Peupion suggests the commonest type of extreme productivity is quantity-obsessed people because the belief that more work equals better work is persuasive.

It’s time to find out more about the signs of productivity addiction.

What Are the Signs of Productivity Addiction?

If you suspect you might be suffering from a productivity addiction you should ask yourself a few important questions.

• Are you aware when you’re wasting time? Do you ever experience guilt because of it?
• Do you rely on technology to optimise your time management?
• Is it better to hustle than to do less? Do you talk about your busyness all the time?
• Do you continuously check your email inbox and notifications?
• Do you feel guilty if you only finish one thing that’s on your to-do list?
• Do you procrastinate because you’re overwhelmed by work?
• Are high stress levels interfering with your sleep?

If you said yes to any of the above, it’s time to get planning.

How to Overcome a Productivity Addiction

Luckily, you can do things to tackle a productivity addiction.

Set Limits

You must have some boundaries if you’re obsessed with productivity, but there’s no need to go cold turkey.

For instance, just because there are loads of productivity podcasts out there, it doesn’t mean you’ve got to engage with every single one. Just pick one or two of your favourites you can enjoy on your commute. That way, you can still get your daily productivity fix.

Be Vulnerable

You must find out where you could improve and admit that you need to do so. For example, if you’re new to the world of remote work and are struggling you could just focus on that area of productivity. You could search for more on topics like ‘how to focus on work when the kids are at home’ or ‘how to improve asynchronous communication in remote work.’

Make a List of Things Not To Do

The purpose of this is to help you practice self-discipline. Eliminating bad habits and unimportant tasks allows you to concentrate on what really matters. What’s more, you won’t feel guilty about not getting everything done. For more tips on self-discipline, see ‘How to Build Self-Discipline (With an Example).’

Ask Yourself Why You Procrastinate

We sometimes procrastinate to mute emotions like stress or boredom. Procrastination could also be a learnt trait or because we are biased towards a task.

Whatever the reason, we often end up doing something else that’s unproductive. Even though we know we shouldn’t and should be working.

If you want to overcome procrastination you must first recognise when you do it so you can act. Then you can start making plans to minimise the amount of time you procrastinate for.

Stick With a Productivity App That Works for You

When you discover a productivity app that suits you, don’t change it for no reason! Just because one of your friends swears by a particular technique, it doesn’t mean it will work for you. You can make adjustments whenever you feel you need to though.

Less is More

Ways you can practice this include:

• Download only apps you use and wish to keep.
• Don’t buy another book on productivity until you’ve finished reading the current one.
• Listen to audiobooks during your commute to consume content faster.
• Refuse last-minute appointments or meetings if you’re already busy.

Pinpoint Things You’re Dissatisfied With

To deal with productivity addiction you should attempt to define what in your life you aren’t happy with. you should be aware of what’s inside your head and what’s going on in your environment.

You can overcome your addiction by:

• Setting realistic goals.
• Cutting people who display toxic behaviours out of your life.
• Holding yourself accountable.
• Journalling about challenges you wish to overcome.
• Practicing gratitude

Simplify Your Day

Focus on just one task at a time throughout your day. If you commit to doing this, you’re less likely to get distracted or be overwhelmed by the tasks before you. You should work smarter, not harder.

Relax

We all need to produce something at times, but there’s no need to always be hyper-efficient. You should also take time to enjoy yourself and relax. So don’t feel guilty for having fun.

Here are some tips to help you relax.

• Don’t rush things. This can be less stressful.
• Get outside at lunchtime, to enjoy some fresh air.
• Try gamification. As the famous Mary Poppins so wisely says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. Find the fun and snap, the job’s a game.”
• Allow yourself time off to relax.
• Try to make your work exciting.

Remember, being productive doesn’t mean that you should spend every minute you have either working or worrying about work and your productivity.

Wrapping Up

In the quest for productivity, let’s not forget the importance of balance. While achieving goals is satisfying, it’s also vital to cherish moments of rest and connection. So, if you think you might be addicted to productivity, remember that true fulfilment arises from a blend of purposeful work and genuine contentment. As you navigate your productivity addiction and work to overcome it, you may discover the joy of living a life in which productivity enriches rather than dominates.