Presence Over Productivity.
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When I was a kid, I knew how to have a good day.
I knew how to follow my feet outside, how to plop onto the dry, piney mulch, in shorts, in skirts, in sandals, in sneakers--it didn't matter.
My fingers knew how to push the mulch aside, how to reach the wet, cold soil layer, how to change to digging motions, to pause and regroup when my fingertips hit a rock. I knew how to trench around the rock with my index and middle fingers until I finally felt the curve of the bottom edge, then grip it, and pull.
I knew how to watch little crenelated beetles hurry about, miffed that I disrupted their little beetle days. I knew how to exist with dirt under my fingernails, unconcerned.
Most of all, I knew how to find worms.
Finding a worm was a wild and joyous occasion. I took my time, digging slowly, wanting to observe, not to harm. When a wiggling pink friend revealed themselves, I extracted them gently and patiently, holding them delicately, letting them slip across my palm. They were never slimy. Moist, maybe, if the soil was moist.
My mise en place for wormfinding consisted of my fingers and a flat and stable rock. Each worm that I discovered would be carefully transferred to the rock. When they wiggled close to the edge, I would gently shepherd them back toward the center. Some days, I found just one or two, and I would keep them on the rock and lazily watch their wiggles. Some days, I found six or eight, and I would spend most of my time attempting to keep them from escaping their stone paddock.
In those days, there was always something fun to do, because there were always worms, and beetles, and soil for digging. The joy of observation and textures and exploration were infinite, and immediate. Having a good day, a good afternoon, a good time, was as simple as walking outside.
I don't know how old I was when I stopped digging for worms.
At some point, I learned that my pants and fingernails must remain clean and neat, and that homework is more important than digging and observing. I learned that a good grade could make me feel better, and a bad grade would make me feel worse, that sitting on chairs was better than plopping, and that friends aren't worms, friends are people who invite you to their birthday party.
I rewired my pleasure sensors away from skirts in the dirt and oriented them toward accolades and praise. Neatness, timeliness, and achievement generated good feelings, love, admiration. Messiness, dillydallying, and mistakes acquired a painful edge.
It's hard to say when, but at some point, I bought into the idea that in order to be happy, I need to be checking things off, tidying, accomplishing, "contributing".
I began to see my time limited, scarce, sparse. I bought planners and calendars and apps, divided my time into rectangles, precious units to be strategically allocated for maximum output. My brain came to believe that using minutes toward achievement and task completion would result in good feeling. I began to believe that I could never experience--or deserve--good feelings without first achieving inbox zero in all areas of my life.
The problem is, productivity doesn't always feel good. In fact, productivity can often feel really bad.
Take, for example, the productivity "trap" of manufactured urgency. This is when we create a false sense of urgency in order to motivate ourselves to get things done. We think that if we just work a little bit harder, a little bit faster, we'll be able to get ahead. But this isn't always the case. When we're in a state of manufactured urgency, we're usually operating under the belief that we don't have enough time. This belief creates a lot of stress and anxiety, which can lead to burnout.
Burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. It's characterized by feelings of cynicism, detachment, and apathy. When we're in a state of burnout, it's difficult to be productive. In fact, it can be nearly impossible. We often try to push through it, because we think that's what productivity looks like, or because we read an article about "grit" one time. But all this does is perpetuate the cycle of stress and burnout.
Ironically, prioritizing productivity in the short run can actually lead to less productivity over time.
When you’re stressed, your brain doesn’t function well—meaning more worry and less good ideas.
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The productivity trap of manufactured urgency is just one example of how our productivity-oriented behaviors can have negative impacts. Another one is multitasking.
Googling "how to multitask" yields more than 16,000,000 results, from tips to improve your multitasking skills to personalized multitasking coaching services. In my quick search for "multitasking" on Indeed.com, there were over 52,000 results.
But research has shown that multitasking is actually less effective than single-tasking. According to this research article from the American Psychological Association, even brief mental blocks created by shifting between tasks can cost as much as 40 percent of someone's productive time. When we try to do two things at once, our brain doesn't actually focus on both tasks equally. Instead, it rapidly switches back and forth between the two tasks, which can lead to errors, decreased productivity, and increased stress levels.
In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport talks about the phenomenon of "attention residue," which is when your mind is still partially occupied by a previous task as you move on to a new one. It's that feeling you get when you're trying to have a conversation with someone but all you can think about is the thing you were doing before, or when you're trying to go to bed but your mind is still buzzing with the day's events. Attention residue is a byproduct of task-switching--or multitasking-- and it leads to subpar performance on both the previous and the new task.
Productivity culture isn't just out of alignment with human needs for rest and well-being. It's out of alignment with itself. It's the worst way to get to the outcomes it says it wants. Productivity is a broken paradigm, and it's time to create a better one.
Productivity culture leads to increased anxiety, negative self-image, strained relationships, illness, guilt over taking time to heal, and other negative outcomes.
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So where do we go from here? If productivity culture doesn't have the answers, where are they? We still have to get things done. We have to pay the bills, and the deductibles, and the parking tickets. If we don't become more productive, we'll just fall further behind. Somehow we have to orient our minds and organize our time. If prioritizing productivity harms us, what would help?
The answer is simple: focus on presence, not productivity.
Presence is the state of being fully present in the moment, without judgment or attachment. It's about being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without getting caught up in them. When I'm present, I'm not thinking about the past or worrying about the future. I'm not thinking about what you need to do next, or what I should have done differently. I'm not worrying about what other people think, or whether I'm good enough. I'm just here, in this moment, with whatever is happening.
When we're present in our work, we're fully engaged in the task at hand. We're not trying to do two things at once. We're focused and concentrated, and we can give our full attention to what we're doing. This is often described as "flow state," "being in the zone." And when we're in flow, we're also more likely to enjoy the work, and if we enjoy it, we're more likely to want to do it again.
Presence also positively influences relationships and group dynamics. When we're present with each other, we build trust and rapport. We're able to have more honest and open conversations. We can be more creative, because we're not restricted by our past conditioning or limited thinking. We can show up as our best selves, and we can help others do the same.
The benefits of presence are well-documented, even in the business world. This study from Harvard Business School shows that "mindfulness training and sustained practice produces statistically significant improvements in three capacities that are important for successful leadership in the 21st century: resilience, the capacity for collaboration, and the ability to lead in complex conditions."
In other words, when we're present, we're better leaders.
We're better communicators. We're less reactive and more able to think creatively. We can handle difficult situations with grace and ease. And we're more productive, because we're not wasting time task-switching or worrying about things that haven't happened yet.
The productivity paradigm is based on the false belief that we have to sacrifice our well-being in order to be successful. But the opposite is true. When we prioritize presence over productivity, we open up space for creativity, collaboration, and connection. We create a foundation for sustainable success-- not just in our work, but in our lives.
It's time to let go of productivity culture and create a new way of working-- one that honors our need for rest, connection, and play. It's time to choose presence over productivity.
When we’re present and focused on one task at a time, we can be free to actually enjoy our work.
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The benefits of presence are clear. But how do we achieve it?
The thing about productivity is that it's easy to measure--we can track the number of emails sent, the number of tasks completed, the number of boxes checked. But presence--the ability to be fully engaged in the moment, to be curious and exploratory and playful--is much harder to quantify.
The first step is to become aware of when we're not present, and what's causing us to lose focus. Once we're aware of our patterns, we can begin to change them.
Here are a few tips to help you practice presence in your day-to-day life.
Practice meditation or mindfulness. This doesn't have to be fancy. If you're not sure where to start (and you don't want to download another app), focus on a sensory experience. Feel the material of your chair and clothes. Find some lofi music or ambient sounds on Youtube or Spotify and focus on listening to everything you hear: the drums, the vocals, the birds, the furnace. Just listen for a few minutes. Breathe. Think about the vibrations floating through the air, gently vibrating your eardrum, producing the miracle of sound. If you are hard of hearing or you're looking for a more silent experience, just position yourself at a window and watch. Pretend you're a cat. Look for birds and rustling things. Breathe as you look, and remember that every minute is a new chance for joy through observation and awareness.
Make time for breaks, and use them to move your body. It doesn't have to be a big production--a few sun salutations or some gentle stretches will do the trick. The goal is to get out of your head and into your body. Listen to the sounds around you as you move. Feel your breath as it fills and empties your lungs. If you can, get outside and feel the sun on your skin (or the rain, or the snow). Drink in the fresh air. And when you go back to work, you'll be refreshed and ready to focus.
Set boundaries with work. This one can be tough, especially if you're self-employed or working in a creative field. But it's so important to have some separation between work and the rest of your life. That means setting regular hours, and sticking to them as best you can. It means taking vacation days, and using them to relax and recharge. It means saying no to projects that will take you away from the things and people you love. And it means being honest with yourself about when you're getting burnt out, and taking a step back before it's too late.
Take a cue from childhood and build in more opportunities for play. This is something we often forget to do as adults, whether it's taking a break to jump on the trampoline or going for a walk in nature, making time for play can help you relax and recharge. Even something as simple as coloring in a coloring book or playing with a pet can help you feel more present. And if you can find a way to infuse your work with playfulness, you'll be more likely to enjoy the process and produce your best work. Maybe it’s time for me to go dig for worms, and enjoy the feel of soil and sun like my childhood self would have done.
Disconnect from technology and create opportunities for face-to-face connection. This could mean having regular family dinners, scheduling weekly catch-ups with friends, or simply putting away your phone when you're with other people . In a world that's increasingly digitized, it's more important than ever to create opportunities for real-life connection.
Remove distractions and create space for stillness. This could mean decluttering your physical space, or setting boundaries with others. The goal is to create a space--both physial and emotional--in which you can be more present and focused. Begin to evaluate the things in your life and ask yourself if they're serving you or holding you back. If it's the latter, it might be time to let them go.
Get enough sleep! When we're tired, it's harder to focus and be present. Make sure you're getting enough rest so you can show up fully for your life. I've struggled with chronic insomnia my whole life, and after making many changes over the years, I'm now able to sleep through the night consistently, and I've experienced many positive effects on my health and well-being. If you struggle with sleep, I see you. It's hard. I didn't believe it was possible to improve it a few years ago, but it really is possible to transform your relationship with sleep over time.
Write it down. When you have a lot on your mind, it can be helpful to get it out of your head by writing it down. This could be in the form of a journal, or simply making a list of things you need to do. Dump your tasks onto the paper, and allow your mind to rest and focus on the present moment. Make a list of things that can wait, and why it's not necessary to do them all now. Or look ahead with purpose: set your intention for the day, and write it on a post it next to you. Pen and paper have a special magic all their own. Use it to your advantage.
Be mindful of the language you use. The words we speak have power, and the way we talk to ourselves can impact our state of mind. If you find yourself using a lot of "shoulds" or "need tos", try rephrasing in a more positive light. For example, instead of "I need to finish this project", try "I'm excited to finish this project". It's a small change, but it can make a big difference in how you feel. The former creates a sense of obligation and ties into, while the latter is an opportunity for self-care. When we're more mindful of the language we use, we can create more space for joy and pleasure in our lives.
Find your people. When you're surrounded by people who "get it", it's easier to stay present and mindful. These are the people who support your efforts to live a more deliberate life, and who understand when you need to take a step back. They're also the people who will hold you accountable when you start to stray from your goals. Find your people and nurture those relationships. When we're surrounded by others who share our values, it's easier to stay on track.
Be selective with the content you are choosing to consume. Just as the food we eat can impact our physical health, the content we consume can impact our mental health. Be mindful of the books you're reading, the shows you're watching, and the websites you're visiting. Make sure they're serving you and not adding to your stress levels. Consider whether they're adding to your life, or if they're simply a way to numb out and escape from your day-to-day reality. There's nothing wrong with escapism, but there is a fine line between escapism and numbing. The key is to make choices that are intentional and that serve you, whatever that means in your life.
Make time for yourself. This is perhaps the most important tip of all. In order to show up fully for your life, you need to make time for yourself. This could mean taking a few minutes each day for meditation or journaling, or it could mean taking a weekend away from everything to rest and recharge. It's different for everyone, but the important thing is to make sure you're taking care of yourself. When we neglect our own needs, it's impossible to show up fully in our work, our community, and in our relationship with ourselves.
Some of these strategies may work for you. Some may not. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but by becoming more aware of the importance of presence, and experimenting with different ways to bring it into our lives, we can create a more sustainable, joyful, and productive way of working. Presence is a practice, and it's something we have to work at every day.
It takes time and effort to unlearn toxic productivity mindsets, but it's worth it. When we make the choice to be present, we open up a world of possibility. We can create deeper connections, do our best work, and live more fulfilling lives. When we choose presence over productivity, we create space for the things that truly matter: connection, creativity, and joy.
What will you choose: productivity or presence? The choice is yours.
What do you think? Are you ready to let go of productivity culture and choose presence instead? Do you have any tips for staying present and mindful? Share them in the comments below!
And if you found this post helpful, I'd love to know what resonated for you, and where you're at in your journey to unlearn toxic productivity culture.