Toxic Productivity Characteristics

Have you ever made a weekend plan that consisted of several activities at once and even checked for upcoming office work? It feels like your weekend was very productive! However, is it really like that?

Reporting from Republika.com, someone who is in such a situation has the possibility of experiencing toxic productivity. Toxic productivity refers to a person's mental condition accompanied by a feeling of being able to be productive at all times.

Toxic productivity has a close relationship with workaholism or overworking. This condition is becoming more common among workers, especially during the pandemic. According to Kathryn Esquer, a psychologist, this happened because many of the routines we normally do on a daily basis suddenly had to stop due to the pandemic.

Toxic Productivity Characteristics to Pay Attention to

Someone who experiences toxic productivity generally feels a sense of guilt when they don't do something to fill their time. Therefore, they will always try to fill their spare time by trying to work "more" than expected.

Working from home provides more free time than when we work from the office. However, not a few people who occupy themselves with various activities to still feel valuable and in control. The following are characteristics of people who are likely to experience toxic productivity.

1. Feel like a failure if you are not productive. When one job has been completed, there will be a desire to continue with other work.

2. Focusing too much on the unfinished business when you may have done a good job of getting some work done. However, you are only thinking on the to-do list that you have not yet completed.

3. Feeling guilty when choosing to relax. Relaxing or taking a break is everyone's right when they have finished work. However, toxic productivity makes you unable to enjoy relaxing time.

4. Forcing yourself with a pile of work. Forcing yourself to keep adding to your to-do list will be bad for your mental health. Work earnestly according to the portion and make good use of rest time to recover.

5. Unnatural fatigue arises. Feeling tired after work is very normal. However, when you work excessively, then you may feel tired even when you wake up.

A person who experiences toxic productivity has a high probability of experiencing burnout at work. In addition, you will be more easily angry or annoyed with the people around you. What's more, you prefer to be surrounded by piles of work rather than interacting with family or close friends.

How to Overcome Toxic Productivity

There are many ways that can be done to avoid toxic productivity. The first step you have to do is to recognize the signs and also admit that it happened to you.

If you already know it, try to give yourself a little leeway. When you have finished a job, avoid immediately looking for something else to do. Start thinking about how you can make your work easier and less stressful.

In order to escape the clutches of toxic productivity, you must love yourself. Forget about work and office matters for a moment. Work effectively and efficiently, take time off to refresh your mind after a tired day at work.

Going to the salon, exercising, watching a movie you like, or simply sitting back while listening to music can be an alternative to relax yourself. Another important thing you can do is to take control of yourself.

Distinguish between the work you really need to do and the work you think you need to do. Work according to the portion in earnest and make good use of your rest time.

In completing work, employees also need to balance their performance during activities. This is not only related to "getting the job done", but also being the best self". In order to support each other's potential, prasmul eli designed a Coaching, Counseling, and Mentoring program.

Through this program, participants can get positive dialogue or conversation techniques so that they can help reveal one's best potential. The role play method in the program will also encourage participants to focus on personal development, not just being shackled to work in a negative context.