"There will always be too much to do. That's why I think we need a way of understanding and thinking about work and productivity that does not treat getting on top of everything as the goal."
"In my mind, and the mind of many insecure overachievers, there's some invisible ledger at the desk of some cosmic judge tracking what we owe the world - what Burkeman calls a sense of 'productivity debt.'"
"I just need to get caught up,' you tell yourself. 'Once I clear the deck, then I can focus on what matters."
Many individuals feel overwhelmed by their to-do lists, despite engaging in tasks they care about. This feeling stems from the belief that it is possible to be on top of everything. Oliver Burkeman suggests that this mindset is flawed, as there will always be more to do. The concept of 'productivity debt' implies that accomplishments merely reduce a sense of being behind, rather than leading to genuine relaxation or fulfillment. The cycle of trying to catch up perpetuates stress and obligation.
Read at Big Think
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