Your productivity Is Not A Personality Trait
By Leyya Sattar
We act as if being productive and busy makes a person better, more worthy or more valuable. Busyness is glorified, with people admired for being stretched thin and rewarded for pushing past their limits with labels like "grit", "resilient", "hard-working", and "driven". When did we all start confusing exhaustion with ambition, overwork with commitment, and constant output with moral character?
Overworked and overwhelmed
In our work as a global DEI consultancy supporting organisations across industries, we see this every day. People everywhere are overwhelmed, burnt out and completely overextended. At the same time, companies proudly insist they have a "great culture."
So our reminder to you is that your productivity is not who you are, and it's definitely not a measure of your character, or a reflection of your worth.
When your identity becomes entangled with how much you produce, your life begins to shrink under external expectations. Recognising this can help you feel more aware and in control of your own boundaries and choices.
When you stop carrying the weight of constant doing and running on empty, you can actually understand what's going on inside you and what you really want. You notice:
What feels aligned and what doesn't
What is draining you
What you've been tolerating in the name of "getting things done"
This is especially relevant in workplaces. Many so-called "performance issues" have nothing to do with ability. They're symptoms of nervous system overload, unclear communication, inconsistent leadership or unmet support needs. Yet people internalise these pressures, believing their output defines them.
Being constantly busy is not a badge of honour. It's not the same as being effective, intentional or fulfilled. Productivity culture tells you to push, but your body and mind need space to restore. When you slow down enough to reconnect with your values, you begin rebuilding your life from the inside out instead of living in response to external demands.
And if you want to explore this further, we're hosting a workshop in the new year: Redefining Success: How to Make Work Work For You. Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter to hear first!
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If you’re thinking about the future of work and want to create a workplace culture where people can thrive without burning out, let’s talk. Other Box can help your team build the clarity, emotional awareness and practices needed for the next chapter.
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We're doing December differently at OTHER BOX. Our anti-productivity advent calendar is our stand against productivity pressure, unwanted resolutions, and the relentless grind that drains your energy every winter. Over 12 days, we're sharing reminders grounded in emotional intelligence, discernment, self-regulation, and self-care to help you move through the festive season with clarity and ease and step into January without pressure or performance.
