Are You Chasing the Wrong Productivity? Rethink It Before Burnout Hits

[Before you start reading, know that if you prefer, you can also listen or watch the same content here.]

Have you ever considered burnout a wake-up call to rethink your paradigm of productivity? No, I'm not talking about reorganizing priorities. I'm talking about the concept of productivity itself.

Wait, are you telling me that productivity can have different meanings?

Of course, yes.

What is productivity?

This week, while preparing for a talk about "reframing productivity at work," I asked ChatGPT to generate an image of a "super productive woman" and another of a "non-productive woman."

The results?

The first? Polished. Dressed to impress. Sitting at a pristine, modern desk. No distractions. Just a fancy cappuccino and a laptop in a picture-perfect workspace.

The second? Messy. Sloppy clothes, clutter everywhere, paper crumpled up, two phones in sight—eyes darting between screens.

Predictable, right?

That's what I thought, too.

But then, when I showed these images to the audience and asked if they resonated with their personal image of productivity, a woman from Chicago told me: "Actually, I'd say exactly the opposite."

She explained that, in the U.S., a "productive person" is often seen as someone exhausted or overworked because that's the sign you've been working hard. It's like a badge of honor.

This conversation made me think even more seriously about something crucial we keep underestimating when we talk about productivity.

What do we mean when we talk about productivity?

There are so many talks, articles, and strategies about productivity, yet they seem to be often contradictory. One day, "This is the ultimate tip to improve your productivity," the other day, "Stop doing this (talking about the same thing they were promoting the day before). It's killing your productivity."

But what do they mean? Are they crazy?

Of course, no.

But even they are often unaware of switching paradigms, sometimes referring to a certain idea of productivity and others to a different idea of productivity.

The Need for Definitions

Herbert Simon, in a 1971 talk, said something that has profoundly shaped the way I see the world:

"If men do not pour new wine into old bottles, they do something almost as bad: they invest old words with new meanings. […] The difficulty does not stem from jargon but from a complete disparity of meanings hidden behind a superficially common language." Herbert Simon

We may still use "productivity" as defined in the industrial era—measured in outputs, tasks completed, and efficiency per hour. But in a world dominated by knowledge work, creativity, and mental energy, does productivity still mean the same thing?

Types of Productivity

It's not just a problem related to time and different eras; it's also different across disciplines. Here are some other ways productivity is defined, just to name a few:

• Economic Productivity: Efficiency of production in terms of output per unit of input, commonly measured in labor or total factor productivity.
• Cognitive Productivity: The ability to efficiently process, understand, and apply knowledge.
• Creative Productivity: The rate and quality of creative output, such as artistic or scientific work.
• Emotional Productivity: The ability to regulate emotions in a way that enhances personal and professional well-being.
• Technological Productivity: The effectiveness of using tools and automation to enhance efficiency.
• Ecological Productivity: The rate at which ecosystems generate biomass and sustain life.
• Personal Productivity: How well an individual manages time, energy, and resources to achieve personal goals.

The Problem with Conflicting Definitions

All these definitions of productivity coexist in our collective understanding, often blending without us realizing it.

We talk about "being productive" as if it has a universal meaning, but in reality, we may be measuring ourselves against contradictory standards because the definition we unconsciously chose becomes our standard.

Are we aiming to produce more output or conserve energy? To work more efficiently or create higher-quality work? To maximize knowledge retention or avoid burnout? These definitions don't always align, and when they clash, we end up chasing productivity without even knowing what we truly want to achieve.

For instance, economic productivity encourages maximizing output, while cognitive and emotional productivity emphasizes balance and sustainability. A person striving for both may feel caught between two conflicting forces—pushing themselves to do more while also being told to protect their well-being.

This internal contradiction leads to confusion, stress, and a cycle of endless self-improvement that never feels satisfying.

If you want to improve your productivity, start by discovering your understanding of productivity.

So the first thing you want to do before accepting the latest productivity hack is to have the answer to the following question clear:

What Does Productivity Mean to You?

Is it:

• Getting more things done?
• Feeling fulfilled?
• Knowing you've focused on the most critical tasks?
• Using your resources at your best?
• Protecting your well-being?

Which of the definitions above does it belong to?

In an era when many of us work with ideas, communication, and creativity, productivity is no longer a simple equation. This is true not just at a societal level but is even more important on a personal level.

Which idea of productivity this piece of content is talking about?

Second. Every time you read something about productivity, try to understand first which productivity they are talking about. This will change the way you see all these tips and tricks and help you get the most out of them.

If you think that productivity principles, after all, are the same, you get it wrong. Dealing with your body and mind has different constraints than dealing with an organization or a team.

Mixing them is what leads to misunderstanding and to the point where you rethink the whole thing, like when you burn out.

And you may think it's just a change of priorities, like "Before, I gave more importance to work; now, health comes first," but it's actually a shift in the meaning you give to productivity.

I leave you to figure out your definition of productivity.

If you want to tell me in the comments, I'd love to hear.

Otherwise, it's the same as long as you have the answer.

And remember: Stay grounded. Stay connected. Stay sustainably focused.

—Concetta