There is so much attention given to productivity – to the different hacks, to work harder, work smarter, to achieve more outputs. It is a booming industry. Why is productivity seen as some holly grail that we are all told is what we should be aiming for? 

Recently I have seen the term “self-care is productive” and it really concerned me. I completely get the sentiment behind it – a reframe to help people feel more comfortable with taking time to care for their own needs. And yes taking time to tend to our own needs, does in turn help with our ability to focus, feel motivated and be productive.  But I fear that, by saying the act of self-care is being productive, is adding yet more support to the messaging that being busy and productive are the badges of honour that we should be striving for, rather than challenging that status quo.

Being productive can be a good thing.

Yes, being productive is important for our well-being. Achievement, accomplishment, and goal setting are all things that we need, to feel an overall sense of well-being.

Yes, there are many great productivity hacks out there that can help us to become more effective and efficient with our time, easing the pressure we can feel.

Yes, there are many different ways to enhance our performance.

But not to the detriment of everything else

We need to do all of these things in a sustainable way, that is aligned with our whole life.

These things do not need to be relentlessly pursued at all costs. We need to remember that we are not a bottomless pit of energy and productivity. We are not here to just keep churning the measurable outputs. We are here to live a multi-dimensional life, with sadness and joy, and love and heartache. We are here to be playful, to rest, to learn, to be, to connect.

If the outputs become our dominating focus, we risk our life becoming a fraction of what it could be. We run the risk of health problems, mental and physical. We run the risk of losing touch with the people that really matter to us. And the parts of ourselves that really matter to us.

There is space in our lives to be productive and efficient, alongside nurturing our whole being.

For those of you who are thinking “but I can’t do nothing” “I need to be doing something”, I hear you. Self-care does not need to be passive. It can be active. There is some research that suggests that some of the more engaged people at work, are those that spend some of their leisure time in active pursuits (for example: crafting, creative projects, music, gardening, exercise).

Hitting a productivity wall …

I am writing this during the Covid-19 lockdown, and this challenge around productivity and restful time has really become centre of my attention.

I needed to find ways of using my time effectively, but sustainably. I looked at the times that I don’t use my time effectively – it is not productive, nor nourishing, and is actually a wasted window of opportunity. I then started using this time more intentionally and effectively. It became clear that I would need to work at the weekends – it was the time I could get back into my office and get a clear run at work. That all sounds sensible and logical. And yes, it does work but not continually because there was no space for me to just be. To just be me. To just be mum, not task master.

I didn’t have the energy to get back into my office this weekend. I wasn’t able to think clearly – my ability to learn was gone, the lecture was just going in one ear and out the other; I couldn’t think creatively to be able to write content or bring together resources; I couldn’t make any more decisions. The voice in my head was telling me that I should be ‘doing’ because this was my opportunity to do. This all manifested in frustrated words with my husband, who started a sentence “It’s the weekend and it’s …” – I didn’t wait for the end, I immediately jumped down his throat having assumed he was going to say “…it’s OK to have time off” with phrases along the lines of “it is for you, when you’ve had all week to work….” You can imagine how it played out! He was actually going to say “….understandable that you don’t want to be working. It is hard right now”.

The sun was shining, and I was empty. So, I listened to my mind and my body (those emotions are messengers trying to get us to listen), and I let myself be for the day. I rode my bike. I listened to the kids scream with delight in the paddling pool. I read my book. I did some weeding. I cooked a BBQ. I fell asleep before 9pm on a Saturday night, having a sleepover in the living room with the kids. I did not attempt to be efficient, or effective in anyway.

This morning I have woken up, ready to use my time effectively, and be productive. I am able to concentrate and be creative. So yes, I have recognised where I can use my time better. I have also been reminded that, that doesn’t mean I can always be effective, efficient and outcome driven. I need a combination to feel well and feel a sense of satisfaction with my life.

So, please let’s not say “self-care” is being productive. It is necessary. It is essential. It is not a luxury. We do not need to be productive all the time. Let’s stop glorifying productivity and busy-ness to the detriment of the well-being for us all. Let’s glorify sustainable, aligned, whole-hearted living instead.

If you would love to have some support working out how to find your sweet spot of sustainable, aligned productivity, book yourself a call with me to find out more.