How to deal with the productivity paradox and stop burning out at work
Everyone has unique needs, desires, dreams, and aspirations, meaning we all want to realize our potential and live the life it represents. But there may be obstacles along the way. When it comes to work, we can begin to feel the productivity paradox, which is accompanied by the feeling that you are stuck in place and all your efforts are not producing the desired result.
What is the productivity paradox, and why does it arise?
The productivity paradox is a feeling of stagnation. It occurs when you put a lot of effort into completing tasks but still feel like you’re not making progress. Life seems like an endless game of catch-up, but you still can’t see the finish line you aim for. Too often, the productivity paradox tricks us into working our asses off and then feeling the symptoms of burnout.
It may seem like you’re doing your best when, in fact, you’re missing out on a chance to discover better ways to create, communicate, lead, and live. Why does this paradox arise? It is a response to the feeling of pressure, stress, and depression that we experience every day. Here’s what’s interesting: if you work to live, you care for your current needs while neglecting your long-term desires.
If you live to work, you set long-term goals for yourself, forgetting about everyday needs. Both of these attitudes lead to a productivity paradox. This paradox can also be both the cause and the consequence of excessive anxiety. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article. If you constantly worry about work and how to move up the career ladder, you experience burnout and feel stuck in place.
How to stop experiencing the Productivity Paradox
If you focus too much on the future, neglecting the present, you can realize your dreams but miss the joy of the journey called “Life.” Worse, it happens that we live in a way we never wanted to. What should I do in this case? We need a strategy that allows us to plan our work and move forward consciously. Of course, it will be different for everyone, but here are a few essential things you can include.
Make progress by eliminating obstacles
The first part of the strategy to combat the productivity paradox is creating conditions for progress in meaningful work. The following are common obstacles to getting things done and ways to overcome them.
Complexity
Complexity is one of the most significant barriers to productivity. To deal with it, it is necessary to reduce or eliminate friction. For example, if you’re waiting for a deadline to start preparing a report, you must change your habits and get to the task in advance to avoid unnecessary stress. It is also worth taking care to eliminate distractions so that it is easier to focus on tasks and not waste mental energy. Make everything as simple as possible to achieve more without burning out and feeling like your job is annoying you.
Chaotic work environment
Disorganization can make you feel depressed and anxious. To avoid stress and do more with less effort, structure your work, write down tasks in order of priority, and keep a to-do list handy.
Search for immediate satisfaction
We often put off completing complex tasks requiring patience, hard work, and time. It’s much easier to do something simple and enjoy it. Seeking immediate gratification is another thing that contributes to the productivity paradox. It is better to postpone simple tasks for later, forcing yourself to solve what seems complex, than to feel that you are already tired and have lost concentration, procrastinating, and putting difficult but essential things on the back burner. Choose the future satisfaction of the complex rather than the momentary pleasure of the simple.
Take care of yourself while you’re at work
The other half of the plan to overcome the productivity paradox is to take care of your well-being, that is, your emotional, physical, and mental needs. Here are some strategies that will help you do this.
Strive for the good, not for perfection
Strive to do the job well, not perfectly. Please eliminate perfectionism, as it is accompanied by shame, loss of self-confidence, and a sense of powerlessness. And this is a sure path not to success but to burnout and loss of self-esteem. For example, if you’re used to improving your emails, which you spend most of your time on, try sending a “good enough” email, telling yourself that you’ll reread and correct it no more than twice. When you allow yourself to be imperfect, you relieve stress and fight the feeling that you have nowhere to move.
Refuse to compare
In a world of media, social media, and growing perfectionism, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, which can cause significant damage to the psyche. One way to curb this habit is to compare yourself to yourself in the past rather than those around you. Believe me, it gives you more motivation and a sense that you can achieve more than being jealous of more successful people and trying to fit yourself into their image.
Give up control over the fact that you can’t control
You can apply for a new project but cannot influence whether you will be chosen as its performer. Learn to quell anxiety and a thirst for control over things that are beyond your area of responsibility. This will help eliminate pressure, get the job done, and let go of the situation, allowing you to work without unnecessary stress and burnout.
Take frequent breaks
To avoid burnout, allow yourself to rest, at least a little. Regular breaks help restore concentration, improve performance and mental activity, and eliminate the feeling of an endless race for marks on the to-do list. Find moments to slow down and let your mind relax. Let your week become not a sprint but a pleasant, unhurried marathon.
