Don't Be Productive. It's A Trap!

The Internet is full of articles, how-to's, tips & tricks on how to be more productive. And I'm starting to worry.

There are many productivity gurus, who come up with their life-hacks and gospels on how to do a day's work in an hour. Well, I am a pagan of productivity.

I know that behind these posts there are only good intentions, but I think it is time to disprove the productivity culture scam.

That you keep busy every second of the day from the moment you wake up until you go to bed does not mean anything. So I don't really trust those articles that suggest that success comes with nonstop work.

It's not about how many hours you work, it's about what you do during that time.

Working without strategy is not productivity

Not everything is lies and deceptions, I have read some great writers here who have nailed it when talking about this topic.

The first thing to clarify is that this old-fashioned office concept of productivity is obsolete. The managers wanted us to believe that the best way to excel at your job is to stay after work hours, bring work home, and give 110%.

This is because almost all companies pay you for your time, so they want to exploit you as much as they can during those 8 hours. And if they can make you work overtime without pay, it's like hitting the jackpot.

Although I didn't come to talk about the labor overexploitation of the 21st century.

If you are a freelancer, do not be fooled by those false images of entrepreneurs who don't sleep for days to achieve their dreams. True CEOs know when to work and when to rest.

You just need to be smart. Make a list of daily, weekly, and monthly goals and stick to them. If these goals are costing you many hours of sleep and your sanity, you are demanding too much of yourself.

Time management is vital

Even if you don't have to meet a schedule, you must establish a work routine. The advantage is that you can adapt it to your needs.

Avoid working late at night, get up early as if you had a classic office job. Respect your time off and focus on your tasks when it's time to do it.

Being productive is more about knowing how to make the most of your work time than it is about working as many hours as possible.

Learn to separate the moments of the day.

Productivity shouldn't make you feel guilty

In these toxic work environments, it is normal for the boss to try to belittle breaks.

I once had a boss who said that if your work schedule ended at 5:00, you cannot leave at that time, you must stay until at least 5:30.

For him, the clock was only a suggestion, not a measure.

When you had 1-hour breaks for lunch (as the company established) he reproached you that you could eat in 10 minutes and then continue with your work.

He once removed the water dispensers because he claimed that we wasted a lot of time drinking water.

Whatever your concept of being productive, if you disapprove of rest, it is a misconception.

To achieve great goals and carry out large amounts of work, rest is just as important.

Conclusion

The best thing to do is set goals for yourself and work effectively to achieve them. Change, correct and improve along the way, but avoid burnout.

Don't listen to those false productivity prophets. They just want to sell a romanticized idea about labor exploitation.

How do you try to be productive every day? Let me know in the comments.

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