Toxic Relationship With Productivity

In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ali Abdaal, a Youtuber with over 5.26 million followers, had an open and honest discussion about his toxic relationship with productivity. It was a realization that took him by surprise, and he believes many viewers can relate if they've been following his channel for some time. In this article, he will delve deeper into the experiences he shared in the video and explore the causes and solutions he discovered along the way.

Feeling Uninspired:

A few weeks ago, he found himself in a productivity slump. Filming videos, a task he usually enjoys, became a struggle. The thought of filming would fill him with apathy, and he questioned whether the effort was worth it. However, his dedication to consistency and fear of the algorithm's impact on his channel pushed him to continue. This heightened fear of failure, exaggerated during this period, made each video an uphill battle.

Seeking the Joy in Productivity:

Throughout his life, Ali has prioritized finding enjoyment in the tasks he undertakes. He has always believed that if he enjoys what he does, productivity naturally follows. This principle has guided him successfully for years. However, during this slump, even tasks he typically enjoyed became burdensome. This departure from his usual mindset was unsettling and contributed to the overall toxicity of his relationship with productivity.

Resentment and Revenge Bedtime Procrastination:

Simultaneously, he noticed a sense of resentment towards commitments and appointments. Although he had consciously scheduled calls, lessons, and workouts in the mornings to motivate himself, he found himself waking up with a seething resentment. The absence of outside pressure or obligations made this feeling even more perplexing. Additionally, he observed a phenomenon called revenge bedtime procrastination, where he would stay up late engaging in mindless scrolling on social media. This behavior was an attempt to reclaim control over his time and rebel against the lack of control he felt during the day.

Chronic Dissatisfaction:

Another significant aspect of Ali's toxic relationship with productivity was the chronic feeling of dissatisfaction at the end of each day. He would berate himself for not accomplishing enough, underestimating his efforts, and fixating on what he deemed as failures. While occasional dissatisfaction is common, this prolonged period of feeling unsatisfied was new and worrisome. Looking back, he realized that these weeks passed by in a blur. The haze left him with a sense of emptiness and posed a potential danger to his overall well-being.

Understanding the Causes:

While analyzing his experiences, three primary causes emerged as contributing factors to his toxic relationship with productivity:

1.Outcome Dependence: Despite being a staunch advocate for setting input goals rather than outcome goals, he unintentionally fixated on specific outcomes beyond his control. He aimed for every video to be a hit and placed undue pressure on himself, monitoring YouTube analytics obsessively. Similarly, he became fixated on external goals for his book, such as aiming for the New York Times bestseller list. These outcome-focused expectations heightened the toxicity of his relationship with productivity.

2.Emotional Disregard: As a productivity-minded individual, he had developed a tendency to ignore his emotional state when it came to completing tasks. He would often push through even if he didn't feel inspired or motivated, believing that discipline and consistency were the keys to success. While this mindset can be useful in certain situations, he realized he had swung too far in the other direction. Ignoring his emotional state for an extended period led to burnout and deepened his toxic relationship with productivity.

3.Overbooked Calendar: He discovered that his calendar was overly packed due to his tendency to say yes to too many commitments. Using an app called Calendly, he allowed people to book time on his schedule without considering the toll it would take on his creative endeavors. The lack of margin or empty blocks in his calendar left little room for relaxation, contemplation, and creative inspiration, further exacerbating his feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction.

Finding Solutions:

Having identified the causes of his toxic relationship with productivity, Ali sought solutions to overcome them. Here are the steps he has taken:

1.Shifting to Input Goals: He has consciously shifted his focus from setting outcome goals to embracing input goals. Instead of fixating on views, subscribers, or book sales, he now prioritizes creating content that he is proud of and enjoys making. This change in mindset allows him to detach from external validation and focus on the process rather than the end result.

2.Embracing Emotional Awareness: Recognizing the importance of emotional well-being, he has become more intentional about acknowledging his emotional state. He no longer dismisses his feelings but uses them as valuable information to guide his actions. If he doesn't feel like doing something, he considers whether it is necessary to push through or if taking a break would be more beneficial in the long run.

3.Reducing Calendar Overload: To alleviate the pressure of an overcrowded schedule, he has made adjustments to his Calendly link, limiting the number of meetings and calls per day. This change ensures that he has dedicated time for creative work and enhances the quality of interactions while reducing feelings of resentment and burnout.

4.Cultivating Satisfaction: At the end of each day, he consciously chooses to be satisfied with his efforts. Rather than dwelling on what could have been done or how he fell short, he embraces a perspective that acknowledges the work he has accomplished. This mindset shift helps to combat chronic dissatisfaction and fosters a healthier relationship with productivity.

Overcoming a toxic relationship with productivity is an ongoing process, but understanding the causes and implementing solutions has been transformative for Ali Abdaal. By prioritizing input goals, embracing emotional awareness, managing his calendar more effectively, and cultivating satisfaction, he is working towards healthier and more sustainable productivity practices. Remember, it's okay to take breaks and prioritize well-being. Let's strive for a mindful and balanced approach to productivity that considers our emotional needs and fosters genuine enjoyment in our endeavors.

And as we reflect on our journey to productivity, let's not forget the importance of allowing ourselves relaxation time. When crafting planners, it's essential to leave space for downtime—leaving a few blank pages won't hurt. Speaking of planners, ours are meticulously designed with rich content, featuring annual plans, monthly layouts, weekly schedules, habit trackers, and much more. Feel free to explore and select the perfect planner to accompany your productivity journey.