How to avoid falling into toxic productivity, then. mostly at work, but also within all organisational tasks of your life?
By Team Savant
If you were to spend some time in professional X/Twitter spaces, browse your LinkedIn feed for longer than is necessary, or simply go to a few seminars regarding your industry, you may come away feeling a little dismayed.
While there are certainly insights worth knowing shared in these forums, it’s also true that the culture of endless work can sometimes be more toxic than it presents itself to be. Sure, on the surface everything is about results and being cohesive as a team, but it’s also true that work/life balance, self-care, and emotional and mental regulation are topics that are not only rarely mentioned, but rarely factored-in.
We know how important these measures are from other areas of life — if we hope to lose weight, even with helpful aids like a semaglutide injection in suitable cases, it’s important to do so at a measured pace, correctly, while ensuring all nutrients are being enjoyed and that our desire for results doesn’t blind us to the method.
Set Those Boundaries Where You Need Them
Boundaries are crucial for your well-being. It's okay to say no if extra tasks or overtime affect your health or well-being. Discuss this with your manager, also. It might seem as though managers are solely there to beat the drum, but that’s not always true. It doesn’t reflect well on them if their team are having a hard time of it and their productive capability is being denigrated. Prioritise your mental and physical well-being—it's crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and don’t be afraid to remain vocal about it.
Invest In Your Identity Outside Of Work
Work isn’t life, even if it does remain a significant part of it. It’s good to explore activities that fulfill you beyond the office. That might be anything from sports to home cooking, from playing with your kids to writing that novel. Pursuing hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or simply relaxing are all valid approaches. If you increasingly identify with your work persona as standard, it’s very easy for all the things that matter in life to fall away.
Work To Live, Don’t Live To Work
Remember, work is just one aspect of life. Don't let it consume you. Focus on enjoying life to the fullest, and let work complement your lifestyle rather than dictate it. Some in your office may be gung-ho and ambitious, and perhaps you are too, but that should still be in favor of living life well. When you have your priorities shifted you won’t chastise yourself if you say no to overtime, or if you don’t get an employee of the year award, or if you don’t feel irreplaceable in a company (note: companies can always replace us), it will help you feel more confident outside of work too.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to avoid falling into toxic productivity culture.