What is Wellbeing-Driven Productivity?
Workaholism and Hustle Culture
Workaholism and hustle culture are now known to promote unsustainable, burnout-inducing work practices.
Productivity, on the other hand, is a positive concept... until it becomes toxic.
Toxic Productivity
Toxic productivity is an obsession with being productive all the time.
While it sounds a bit like workaholism and hustle culture, it's far worse because it creeps into every aspect of life.
"Being productive" sounds like a good thing. And, of course, it is. Until it becomes toxic, and you’re heading to burnout by then.
Productivity Versus Wellbeing
To do your best work as efficiently as possible, you must be well - this makes complete sense.
To do well, you need to be well.
But it’s easier said than done.
The Challenges
It is hard to prioritise your wellbeing when those around you are hustling to the point of burnout.
It's hard to say no to another unreasonable request from your manager.
It's hard to leave work on time when everyone else in your office will still be there hours later.
Culture Change
The broader issue here might be organisational culture. One single person is unlikely to be able to change that.
What you can change, though, is your behaviour. And this can influence the behaviour of those around you. Change can be bottom-up, even when it should be top-down.
So what can you do?
Practise wellbeing-driven productivity.
What is Wellbeing-Driven Productivity?
Wellbeing-driven productivity is:
Adopting a wellbeing-first mindset
Using productivity strategies to work efficiently but
Not filling time saved with more work - using it for rest and recovery.
So, that rethink:
Forget about doing more with less.
Wellbeing drives productivity - prioritise that.
Use productivity strategies - of course - but fill the time you save with rest and recovery - not more work. Help others do the same.
When wellbeing comes first, we are more productive and do better work - everybody wins.
