Do you relate to feeling like what you do isn't enough?

Productivity Debt

Most weeks I write newsletters intended to help students start revising.

Or to be more effective when doing so.

And that makes sense.

Most students are not taught at school how to revise in an effective and personalised way that actually works for them.

But this week,

I wanted to write a newsletter aimed at the people who feel like what they do is never enough.

They chastise their own laziness.

They are the people who believe they need to toil in order to be worthy,

And they are often the people who are always looking and working towards their next goal,

Rather than enjoying the process and their successes.

I can especially relate to this last point.

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What is productivity debt?

I first heard the idea of productivity debt on the Chris Williamson podcast with Oliver Burkeman.

Oliver explained it as follows:

“Many people (by which I meant me) seem to feel as if they start off each morning in a kind of ‘productivity debt’, which they must struggle to pay off through the day, in hopes of reaching a zero balance by the time evening comes.”

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Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely pay off your productivity debt.

There will always be more to do.

More emails to respond to.

A higher goal to work towards.

Or more revision to be done.

So extended joy, contentment and relaxation is always just out of reach.

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I personally found it helpful just to hear this idea.

I have never heard it expressed in this manner before and whilst I don’t think I have the greatest sense of productivity debt in the world,

I can certainly relate to the feeling.

Therefore, if you think your teenager or someone else may relate,

I would encourage you to send them this newsletter and to credit Oliver Burkeman.

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Actions

Oliver suggests keeping a ‘Done It’ list rather than just a ‘To Do List,’

I imagine a daily to do list is a key tell tell sign of someone who experiences productivity debt.

I do like this idea however I am going to make a bit more of a conceptual suggestion.

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I think a lot of us struggle embracing our successes.

Be that doing well in your GCSEs or A Levels.

Getting a promotion at work,

Or maybe its sticking to something that you said you were going to do for a set period time.

I know I struggle to really sit with my wins.

Its always on to the next thing.

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I think a lot of this comes down to feeling awkward having all the attention on you.

And expecting your friends and family to embrace this whilst you lap it up.

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More and more I have been trying to tell myself that the people who really care about you want to see you win.

And they wont see you winning as a zero sum game which impacts their chance of winning.

So I am committing to taking more time to celebrate my wins.

Whether that is paying for a nice meal with friends or family,

Or simply taking a day off work to play golf and relax,

I’ve earnt it,

And you’ve earnt it too.

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I think this email will either really resonate with you or you will think that it is complete rubbish.

And I am happy with that.

Hopefully one person reads this and feels less indebted to the world and therefore can give themselves a bit of a break.

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I hope you all have a great week ahead,

Best wishes,

Joel