Redefining Productivity, One Myth at a Time
Photo by Karola G via Canva
Some days I’m unstoppable—emails fly, ideas flow, and I feel like I’ve cracked the code to work-life balance. Other days? I stare at my screen, rearrange my desktop icons, and wonder if blinking counts as a task.
And yet, I still feel guilty.
🧠 The Pressure to Always Be “On”
We live in a culture that celebrates hustle. Productivity apps, time-blocking hacks, motivational quotes—there’s always something telling us we should be doing more. Even on days when we’ve already done plenty.
But here’s the truth: productivity isn’t a constant. It ebbs and flows. And that’s normal. In fact, research shows that our brains are wired for cycles of focus and rest—ignoring that rhythm often leads to burnout, not brilliance.
📋 When “Looking Busy” Becomes a Job
I once worked at a place where we had to write down everything we did during the day and submit it. Every. Single. Day. It was stressful—especially when there wasn’t much to do. What do you even write? “Stared at screen. Refreshed inbox. Thought about lunch.” Honestly, that task took so much time, we should’ve logged it as a task itself.
It wasn’t about working smart—it was about looking busy. And that kind of pressure chips away at your creativity and confidence. Instead of measuring output by hours or checklists, workplaces should measure impact and outcomes. Scandinavian countries, for example, have experimented with shorter workweeks—and found that people often get more done when they’re less stressed.
🕒 The Illusion of Freedom
Another workplace had a slogan: “It doesn’t matter if you work 40 hours—productivity matters. If you finish early, enjoy your freedom.” Sounds amazing, right?
In reality, it was far from the truth. We often ended up working overtime—after hours, on weekends. If you stuck to 40 hours, no one noticed. But if you burned yourself out, you got praised. I remember finance meetings where only the accountants who worked insane hours got highlighted.
But I didn’t move to New Zealand for that kind of life. NZ is chill, balanced, and values well-being. If you want to live the hyper-careerist lifestyle, go to the US. Don’t import that hustle culture here.
🐢 Slow Days Aren’t Lazy Days
I used to panic when I had a slow day. I’d open random tabs, reread old emails, or start tasks I didn’t care about—just to feel busy. But pretending to be productive is exhausting. And it doesn’t actually help.
Now, I try to lean into it. If my brain’s not firing, maybe it’s asking for a break. A walk, a nap, a moment of quiet. That pause often leads to better work later.
👉 And here’s an important distinction: this guilt hits harder in an office environment, where being visibly busy often matters as much as the work itself. At home, it’s easier to honor a slow day—you can step away, reset, and return when you’re ready. But in the office, the pressure to “look productive” can make slow days feel like failures, even though they’re just part of the natural rhythm.
Here are a few ways I’ve learned to embrace slow days:
- Shift gears: Do small, low-stakes tasks that don’t require deep focus.
- Take a mindful break: A walk, stretch, or journaling session can reset your energy.
- Reframe guilt: Remind yourself that rest is part of the productivity cycle, not the opposite of it.
💬 Let’s Talk About It
We don’t talk enough about the natural rhythm of work. Some days are for sprinting. Others are for strolling. And both are valid.
So here’s my question for you:
- Do you ever feel guilty for having a slow workday?
- Have you worked somewhere that rewarded burnout over balance?
- What’s your go-to ritual when you need to recharge?
Let’s normalize the ebb and flow. You’re not a machine—and that’s a good thing.
Photo by Karola G via Canva
