When productivity becomes an addiction
Reza Jafery has been something of a workaholic since he was in first grade. But he was driven more by compulsion than a love of learning, and became anxious if he didn’t have something in his sights to accomplish. Attending an elite high school in Dubai further spurred his desire to be successful, as did his parents.
The Problem
Addiction is a brain disease that affects the brain’s reward system and results in compulsive behavior despite the harmful consequences
- Society tends to reward productivity, or at least casts it in a positive light
- The more you work, the better
- Many people don’t realize the harm it causes until a divorce occurs and a family is broken apart
- A work addiction is what some experts call a ‘mixed-blessing addiction’
No time to ‘waste’
Jafery classifies everything he does as either productive or unproductive, and tries to minimize the latter
- ‘Productivity junkies’ are overly focused on a single aspect of their life – known as being ‘unidimensional’.
- The compulsion to satisfy the addiction overrides other potential sources of pleasure, such as spending time with loved ones
- Extreme productivity is a phenomenon that Sydney-based author and productivity expert Cyril Peupion has observed in many clients at large and medium companies over the years.
- He has classified three distinct extreme productivity types: the ‘productivity obsessive’, the’selfish productive’, and the ‘quantity obsessed’.
Sacrifice connections for work
The brain thrives on fun, laughter and meaningful relationships – so her advice is to make room for them no matter what