Being Productive…
Greeting dear friends & fellow navigators, welcome to my world this weekend. There has been a great deal in the media again recently & it is an age-old myth we live by measuring our worth by how predictably productive we are each day. In this cycle, from my experience, our own needs & desires often take a backseat. We are driven to push ourselves relentlessly, sacrificing personal well-being just to check off more tasks.
I came to realize, often through tough lessons, this path leads to burnout at an astonishing speed. The more we entangle our self-worth with constant productivity, the more we neglect the very things which make us whole.
Caught up in this narrative, neglect becomes routine. The constant pursuit of productivity takes precedence, overshadowing our essential needs. We sacrifice personal care & balance, inadvertently speeding towards burnout. I learned the hard way, this path while initially promising, ultimately undermines our well-being at an alarming pace. It is a cycle, if left unchecked, can strip away our vitality faster than we ever anticipate.
Have you ever felt like your entire worth was tied to how much you accomplished in a day? I know I have been there, hustling day in & day out, thinking being productive was the ultimate measure of success. But you know what? This mindset, it can be a trap.
What is worse is it does not just affect you; it changes how you view others too. It is easy to lose
sight of empathy when you are in this non-stop, productivity-focused mode. You might inadvertently contribute to this culture of overwork, expecting everyone around you to live up
to these insane standards.
Toxic productivity is the belief productiveness is the most important aspect of ones’ life, & any
time not spent being productive is a waste. This mindset can be extremely damaging, as it
can lead to burnout, anxiety, & a lack of enjoyment in life.
I learnt constantly striving for productivity did not always equate to fulfilment. You know, finding
the sweet spot between being productive & giving yourself a breather is a journey I was on for
quite a while. One thing I learned is setting boundaries is crucial. Designating specific work
hours & dedicated breaks can do wonders. When you commit to these boundaries, you give
yourself permission to fully focus during work hours & truly unwind during breaks.
Another gem I stumbled upon is the power of prioritizing tasks. Not every task holds the same
weight, so learning to identify what is truly important can make a world of difference. This way,
you are not just busy; you are purposefully productive.
It becomes a dance, really. Balancing productivity & breaks means listening to your body &
mind. When you start feeling overwhelmed or drained, this is your cue to step back & recharge. Trust me, the quality of your work & your overall well-being will thank you for it. It is about creating a lifestyle where productivity is not the sole focus; it is about weaving in moments of rest & rejuvenation. The balance is where the real magic happens.
Absolutely, finding balance is not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal; it is about understanding your
own rhythms & needs. For me, latterly incorporating meditation practices has been a game-changer. Taking a few minutes each day to check in with myself, to breathe deeply, & to be
present in the moment surprisingly increased my productivity. It was & still is like a reset button
for the mind, allowing me to approach tasks with renewed focus & clarity, just my like my daily
swim has done for 41 years.
Another crucial aspect has been learning to let go of perfectionism. Trust me, it was tough,
but striving for perfection can often lead to overworking & stress. Embracing the idea “done is
better than perfect” has been liberating. It freed up mental space & allowed me to move
forward without getting caught in an endless loop of revisions.
I mourn the years I spent alternating between compulsive busyness & deep exhaustion. I
lament the lost time with loved ones due to being ‘too busy’, the ignored chances to rest
because I felt I had not ‘earned it’, & the ordinary moments I rushed past without noticing.
From my experience we all need to treat ourselves with kindness & compassion, strive for
excellence, but do not obsess over perfection, plus take time to rest & recharge. Just trying to
remember the very old thought ~ life is a journey, enjoy the ride.
Just few observations again dear friends, & provide merely an opinion in my world. Thank you
again for stopping by, I appreciate your being here. If my journey encourages you also, all is well
with my soul. I hope your days are filled with love & affection. Looking forward to being back next week; this is Kenn Butler in Paradise, Nelson with best wishes
kenn@kennbutler.com
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