The Productivity Myth
Last week between a sick kiddo and hosting a roundtable for socially conscious leaders, I let a few things slip.
These were items I cared about, wanted to do, and would enjoy (even if work-related!) As the days passed, I made tough decisions about how to expend my limited time and energy. This involved compromises across work-related goals and tasks as well as the frequency of exercise and my preferred schedule of work and personal time.
While I didn't manage to do "all the things", I was present with clients, prepped the roundtable, protected sleep (to the extent possible with a sick child!), salvaged a couple days of exercise, and maintained daily practices of Wordle, gratitudes, and meditation. I even watched a show one evening when my brain was too tired to think quickly and clearly.
I was constantly weighing and assessing the best use of my time.
While I could have sacrificed more of what I needed, it would have come at a steep cost to my health, my productivity, and my impact. I may succeed in checking a couple more to-do’s off the list, although they would be painstakingly slow and lower quality. Likely, knowing my body, I would experience increased muscle tension, headaches turning into migraines, indigestion, and irritability.
By the end of the week, I was spent and definitely ready for some down time (thank you, Bridgerton!) And, I was not too depleted to enjoy the activities of carving pumpkins, gathering with a couple friends to share memories of my father, and a full morning of busy trick-or-treating through a downtown swarm of princesses, superheroes, unicorns, and pirates. 😂👻 🏴☠️
It probably helped that the roundtable I prepped and facilitated was focused on this very challenge - how do you honor self-compassion and well-being while continuing to bring compassion and justice to your work??
(What is that saying about teaching what you need to learn or remember?) It was perfect timing. 😉
There was such insight and experience present during the roundtable discussion, as well as a reminder of the significant challenges faced by those that feel deeply about injustice and act to be a part of positive change.
We took a close look at the emotional labor of doing this work - emotional labor that’s associated with decreased productivity, increased stress, and a greater chance of burnout. These burdens are significant…especially when the majority of changemakers are from one or more underappreciated and marginalized groups and identities.
The "productivity myth" struck a particular chord and resonated deeply.
Perhaps you know it, too?
It is the false promise that if you do more... check more tasks off the list... get through that one next big hurdle (whether a project, a new hire, or cleaning your home!)...
⏳ THEN you can slow down to relax and tend to your own needs.
⏳ THEN you can feel better.
⏳THEN you can...rest, recover, connect, and feel joy and energy again.
The dialogue reflected a pattern where dedicated leaders wonder when and how they can spend time to focus on their own wellbeing and development while leading, mentoring, and supporting so many others.
It's a great question.
When is the best time to support your wellbeing?
It's hard to invest in protection and support for your own wellbeing in the midst of being a go-to person for the needs, concerns, and development of others...all while supporting consistent progress toward social justice.
It’s hard to change the paradigm. It’s difficult to believe and trust the the paradox that when you prioritize your own wellbeing, you prioritize the people and causes you care about the most, too.
When you consistently tune in and respond to your needs, it enhances your clear thinking, problem-solving, communication, and moral reasoning.
When you enhance your wellbeing, you not only feel better, you set yourself up for greater productivity and impact.
When you feel calm, safe, and connected, you can read the facial expressions, body language, and tone of others more accurately as well as expressing yourself more effectively - a key skill in changemaking!
In contrast, when you sacrifice yourself - even for essential and admirable causes - you are not the only one who suffers. As your energy, joy, productivity, connection, and creativity decrease, so does your ability to have your best impact.
What happens as we lose the health, effectiveness, and clear-thinking of more and more of those who care the most deeply about social justice progress?
There is too much at stake as we witness, and experience, tremendous burnout and compassion fatigue affecting changemakers across a variety of roles.
As you reflect on what matters to you, where does your own wellbeing fit in?
What would it take for you to prize your wellbeing as essential and non-negotiable?
What beliefs would you need to change to truly invest in your own wellbeing?
How might you benefit from accountability and support to maintain this as a priority?
It's hard to make changes. It's challenging to set aside the promise of the next thing to take care of yourself now. And there is so much at stake if you don't.
You matter. You can make a difference. And, I’m so thankful you’re here. 💖
#wellbeing, #socialjustice, #FeelDeeplyLiveCompletely #ProductivityMyth #EmotionalLabor #Changemakers #SociallyConsciousLeaders #Burnout
