How I overcame the productivity lie.

Call me crazy, but sometimes I can't stop working. I can't stop until I feel accomplished or someone notices how much I am overworking. I can't say no when someone asks me to do something that I truly do not have time to do. I stretch and stretch myself for others and for my own piece of mind that I am "doing enough" only to just overwork myself in the end. I wish I could give you an explanation for why I feel like I need to push myself to the extreme to feel accomplished other than the productivity lie.

I know I am not the only 20 something who feels this. I've had friends tell me that they feel lazy if they even take a break to eat. How crazy is that? Food is fuel, yet we have it twisted that even eating is taking away from our productivity! As absurd as I want to say that is, I have been that girl way too many times this semester. I think many of us have been that girl not being able to say no and working till we are burnt out in school or our jobs.

I don't know how to answer why our generation has this lie that we have to work till exhaustion to feel worth, but I can tell you how I am overcoming it. Keep reading to see 3 ways to help overcome the productivity lie and know that your worth is in your character. Not in accomplishments or how many things you do for other people.

1) Figure out your maximum level of effort to please others or work... and take back 15%.

I have learned to LIVE by the 15% rule. When you give all of your energy to other people, school, and working, there's no room left for you. Think of your heart and mind as a drinking well. If our well isn't poured into, we become too dry to care for others and ourselves. We can not be our best self if we have no time to recharge. I love using my "15%" on my busiest days by taking 10 minutes to make a funky iced coffee or recharge with a Bible study. It's the little things that give us life.

2) Set timers.

I struggle with the balance of working on school work for way too long of a time and then giving myself an Instagram break that is just as long, if not longer. I now set timers to make me feel more in control and a sense of healthy productivity. I like the ratio of 20 minutes of work with a 5-10 minute break. A huge part of my breaks too are not answering any emails or texts about school and work. Breaks are ME time!

3) Learn to say no.

This is probably the hardest for me. Whether it is a classmate asking me to do something extra that is more than my fair share of work or doing something for someone else that is extremely inconvenient, I struggle to say no. Pleasing people and being that dependable friend is something I always strive for, but sometimes saying no is needed for your own sanity.

I learned that being assertive and clear is the best way to go especially when it is in a work environment. It is OKAY to say that you are not comfortable with something or that you simply do not have time at this moment. Don't over explain yourself either, your personal life and what you need to do for your mental health is always just for you (unless you are open about it with this person) and a simple no is more than okay to say!

---

I hope these three ways of overcoming the productivity lie give you some inspiration and insight on what helps me as a college girl who has struggled as a perfectionist and people pleaser! Finding that healthy balance of working hard and caring for ourselves is so important for our health, especially in this Christmas season!

With love,

Danielle