Rethinking Productivity: The Dark Side of the Hustle

How much work you've to do today? Do you get things done before the timeline? Do you like your current state? Are you missing deadlines? Do you think you're still not doing enough? Do you struggle to learn new things?

It's evident and ordinary that we all undervalue ourselves most often. We pursue doing more, achieving more, and becoming more. But what if I told you that the very thing we often celebrate — productivity — can be a double-edged sword? What if I argued that the relentless race for productivity, left unchecked, can lead to a toxic cycle of burnout, stress, and diminished well-being?

I may be wrong or partially correct. But, it's my personal thought that we get into a productivity trap that we forget to focus on essential things in our lives. So, in this chapter, I will tell you something that you can relate to and rethink yourself and make your judgment.

The Productivity Obsession

Instead of expecting systems to streamline our tasks and make our lives easier, we frequently exert more effort to achieve the desired outcomes. Shouldn't the purpose of systems be to minimize the workload and make our lives more efficient?

Historically, productivity has been labeled as a symbol of progress and success. The Industrial Revolution, which transformed societies and economies, was built to maximize output with minimal input. Over the years, we measured our worth by our ability to juggle numerous tasks simultaneously. We stopped trying to improve the system and blame ourselves for not doing enough.

We sacrificed our evenings and weekends to get more work done. So, you can think our society has evolved this way. We probably cannot completely ignore it cause we have bills to pay and food to survive. We cannot afford not to be productive. We must work to live. That's what we've been told and instructed.

In the digital age, the productivity obsession has reached new heights. We're inundated with time-management hacks, productivity apps, and success stories that seemingly demand we hustle relentlessly to keep up. We've been conditioned to believe that busyness equates to achievement and that productivity, in its unbridled pursuit, is the key to fulfillment.

Hundreds of productivity tools, thousands of books, and several systems claim to make us productive. So, why are they not working?

The Dark Side of Productivity

But here's the harsh truth: the relentless pursuit of productivity can take a toll on our mental and physical well-being. It can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a profound sense of emptiness, leaving us wondering, "Is this all there is?" The pressure to constantly produce can erode our creativity, stifling our ability to innovate and think outside the box.

I'm a victim of this productivity ecosystem. I've probably watched most YouTube videos regarding productivity, tools, and tips. All the things I have consumed didn't help me at all. I have bought many Self-Help books, some related to productivity and I can tell I was impressed with the content and enjoyed reading/watching.

So, where do things go wrong? Well, all tips don't work on everyone. We are different, our brain thinks differently. I consumed them all and never implemented them constantly. For example, I started journaling after watching some youtube videos. Thinking about it will help me clear my thoughts and make me more productive. Instead, I stopped writing for 2,3 days and felt nothing over the months.

I have downloaded multiple Productivity Tools out there. I've used them all. I downloaded, created an account, and wrote a few tasks, events, and plans there, and the very next day, I forgot to update or tick it.

Shall I blame the system? No. It's me who needs to be blamed. Systems are all there with some purpose, and if they are not followed or appropriately used, the result is zero. Productivity itself is not dark, but being overwhelmed by it and being distracted is.

You should focus on your internal system rather than some random productivity system.

My Experience with Productivity

Well, I don't have decades of work experience or am too knowledgeable to share it. But, if you can relate and learn things that might impact your life, I would gladly share what I have learned so far.

In the year 2015, I was a staunch believer in the power of multitasking. Up until then, my interaction with personal computers had been minimal; I'd seen a few, but I'd never actually used one myself. To most people, PCs and mobile devices were primarily sources of entertainment, perfect for indulging in games and leisurely activities. Little did I know that my first encounter with a personal computer would open up a world of boundless possibilities.

I vividly remember my initial desire to delve into the realm of Photoshop. It was a burning passion, but I had no clue where to start. All I knew was how to power up the computer and use a web browser to search and watch YouTube. And so, my journey began with YouTube tutorials. It was through these videos that I started to unravel the intricacies of design, igniting a newfound interest within me.

From that point on, I embarked on a creative journey that saw me learn and design countless things. However, amidst the constant flow of designs, there was a persistent feeling that something was amiss. Despite my dedication, I never seemed to complete projects within the allotted deadlines. Time and again, I found myself pouring in substantial effort, but the fruits of my labor were just out of reach. It took considerable time and unwavering determination to craft each design, leaving me questioning my productivity.

Now, let me share another tale from my journey. In April 2020, I joined NxtGen, and we found ourselves tasked with organizing QuantumHack, Nepal's most significant digital hackathon of the year. The days leading up to the event were nothing short of a whirlwind. I vividly recall one particular day when I worked relentlessly for 14 hours straight, convinced that I was at the peak of productivity.

But here's the thing — despite my unwavering dedication and the hours I invested, I couldn't escape the nagging feeling that productivity remained an elusive goal. The more I chased it, the farther it seemed to drift away. It wasn't until exhaustion set in that I realized I had been burning the candle at both ends. The result? A burnout so profound that I couldn't bring myself to design anything for the next two or three days.

So, instead of chasing productivity, I would've become more focused and did the most important thing first: took a rest and did it consistently. My biggest mistake was being unplanned and not focused enough to do something more systematically. That's why all my work piled up the day before the event, and I had to work 14 hours straight. And why I was able to work that long, you may ask; it is because I've isolated myself the whole time. I was indoors day and night. The reality is you sacrifice to be more productive and get things done.

A few stuff that you might relate to:

I believe you can relate to them. Because I can relate to them accurately. So, we all suffer from it. You don't have to panic or be discouraged. Nobody is that productive; they are just doing things more by sacrificing something.

Experiencing a lot of things over the years, I will tell you things that you might not agree with and might relate to and realize. Moving forward, I'll share my personal thoughts and experiences that will surely help you.

Why This Book: The Focus Alternative

When you focus on being focused, you're likely to be productive automatically.

Until this point, you probably have guessed, this book is not about being productive but focused. Being focused is so rare that many of us struggle to do basic things. Don't get me wrong, that we're abandoning productivity altogether. Instead, we will redefine it. This book will introduce you to the transformative power of focus — an alternative approach that defines quality over quantity, hard work over smartness, something over nothing, depth over breadth, and well-being over work done.

This book is not about advocating for laziness or mediocrity. Instead, it will encourage you to work hard. Balance your work life and dreams. It's about shifting from an ordinary person to a hard-working and more focused person.

Since you're reading this book so far without being distracted, I would say you're somehow an observant person.

In upcoming chapters, we'll understand focus fundamentals, rewire our mindset, learn to overcome distractions, and some proven techniques to focus more.

Are you ready? The path may be different, but the rewards are profound. I am just like you, who was focused on writing a book. Correct me if I'm wrong or if you want to share your thoughts while reading it. You can DM me on Instagram instagram.com/anjil.bk.