The Importance of Being Unproductive
5 minute read
Any business strategy worth its salt hinges on three pillars: doing things faster, with fewer resources, and at a lower cost. Until artificial intelligence takes over the world, the burden of delivering this relentless efficiency falls on us – reflected in endless demands for instant email replies as a sign of respect, and jam-packed calendars to prove our worth. The view of humans as mere cogs in the corporate machine is alive and well.
Even in our personal lives, we have become addicted to speed and convenience. Instant gratification rules. We demand what we want when we want it. How dare anything take two days to arrive when Amazon can deliver it within hours?
But will it ever be enough? Will we ever reach a point where things are ‘fast enough’ or ‘cheap enough’? What price do we pay in this relentless pursuit of efficient productivity? Is it at the expense of our humanity, our happiness or our sense of self? On a deeper level, will we ever feel complete?
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The addiction to efficient productivity
Humans are dopamine addicts. The thrill of the chase often outweighs the reward itself. Social media and technology thrive on this, turning modern life into a playground for dopamine junkies. Dopamine surges with the anticipation of uncertain rewards – from what’s in our inbox, to what could be at the very, very end of the scroll, to retirement or even the afterlife. This explains why we are driven to work towards intangible goals. The thought that “maybe this will give me a sense of completeness” is inherently addictive.
“Dopamine surges with the anticipation of uncertain rewards – from what’s in our inbox, to what could be at the very, very end of the scroll, to retirement or even the afterlife.”
Productivity is the same chase. It drives us to do more, faster – driven by the addiction to the chase itself. Productivity is also a status game. Ask a friend or colleague how they are, and chances are they’ll reply, “Busy!” A packed calendar has become as much a social status symbol as a professional necessity.
The pandemic made this trend worse. Flexible, digital tools gave us unprecedented freedom but also ushered in an era of being ‘always on’. Back-to-back calls, meetings and tasks have become the new normal. Anything less feels oddly unproductive.
With the internal pressure of dopamine addiction to the external pressures of our employers, customers, culture and status, it is no wonder we pursue productivity more relentlessly than ever.
The burnout epidemic
The organisations of which we are a part fuel this addiction while compounding its effects. Competition has always been the heart of the efficiency obsession. But what’s at stake when we become productivity-obsessed robots? The answer is clear: our health, humanity and creativity.
Burnout is rampant. In the US, 88% of workers report experiencing burnout, with one in five considering quitting their job on a daily basis. Women are twice as likely to burn out as men, undermining decades of hard-won societal progress. While organisations are starting to promote wellness practices, the concept of intentionally embracing periods of unproductivity has yet to become part of the conversation.
“Slowing down gives us permission to notice and appreciate the world around us. It’s an act of defiance against the tyranny of busyness.”
The case for slowing down
The philosopher Alan Watts famously said that life is like music – the point is not to rush to the end but to enjoy each note. If the point of music was to speed to the end, the best conductors would be the ones who finished first. Productivity might demand we speed through the song, but slowing down allows us to savour it.
Consider the rise of ‘digital detox’ retreats and wellness holidays. It’s troubling that the ability to think freely and enjoy unstructured time has become a luxury industry. When something as simple as daydreaming is commodified, it becomes clear that it is time to reclaim unproductivity as a human right.
What if unproductivity were viewed as a business advantage? What if the ability to cultivate the skill and mindset of being unproductive was seen as a competitive edge?
Wisdom in rest
Are busy people wise people? Are hyper-productive leaders truly inspiring, or do they lack the clarity to find joy in their work? Unproductivity might just be the key to unlocking deeper wisdom.
Alice Walker beautifully captures this sentiment: “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.” Slowing down gives us permission to notice and appreciate the world around us. It’s an act of defiance against the tyranny of busyness.
“The world doesn’t need more productivity. It needs more humanity and more imagination.”
Additionally, daydreaming and unstructured thought enhance creativity, improve problem-solving and foster emotional wellbeing. Meditation, a practice rooted in doing nothing, is free and instantly accessible. It reduces stress, sharpens focus and boosts happiness. More importantly, it reminds us to simply be.
Being busy often masks our fears and anxieties. Slowing down and stepping off the hamster wheel therefore requires a certain amount of courage. It forces us to confront what we’ve been avoiding, but in the long run it paves the way for a happier, more peaceful existence.
The world doesn’t need more productivity. It needs more humanity and more imagination. Embrace being unproductive – for your health, your happiness and your soul.
Adam Penny and Elizabeth Smith are Co-founders of The Beautiful Truth.
