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In professional life, it is normal to want to do your job well. But when this requirement turns into obsession and we never seem satisfied with our productivity, it becomes pathological. It has a name: productivity anxiety. Here are the signs.
Whether in their personal or professional life, some people are keen to do things well. A bit of a perfectionist, they like everything to be done on time. But be careful that this character trait does not turn into productivity anxiety. How is it defined and what are the signs?
What is productivity anxiety?
Productivity anxiety arises from the fear of not being productive enough. In professional life, this translates into constantly being available, pushing your limits each time. You never take breaks, RTT or vacation and accept too heavy a workload. Which often pushes you to finish later than your defined times.
What are the signs of productivity anxiety?
Doctoral student in clinical neuropsychology Nawal Mustafa has compiled a list of 9 signs that can show that you suffer from productivity anxiety. Here are the signs in question:
- You constantly feel like you’re not doing enough;
- You feel guilty as soon as you take a break or rest;
- You always feel overwhelmed;
- You procrastinate or avoid tasks that seem too heavy to you;
- You sacrifice your sleep, physical and social activities to work more;
- You feel anxious and tense when you are not working;
- You feel like you’re not good enough;
- You compulsively check your emails, messages and to-do lists;
- You get irritated or frustrated when things don’t turn out the way you thought they would.
What are the consequences of this particular anxiety?
Be careful of this type of anxiety, therefore, which can be devastating. As Nawal Mustafa writes in an Instagram post, “working in a state of constant stress and anxiety is not a mark of honor, it’s a recipe for burnout“. The trap can also come from the company you work for, which values this type of behavior.
From a rather positive character trait at the start, this type of attitude can turn into a source of anxiety, with the obsession to always do more without ever being satisfied. In reality, the lack of rest makes us counterproductive, ultimately. We have the feeling of being “outdated and less effective in getting the job done“recalls the expert.”The brain has a limited capacity to retain certain information. When you experience productivity anxiety, your brain devotes part of its work to regulating stress.”.
What is the solution ? Take a step back by recognizing your professional value and learn to do less. Because to get better, it is essential to release the pressure, to work less, certainly, but certainly better.
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