The term “being productive” is thrown around to a great extent in many scenarios. What does it
even mean to be productive? Why does it have to be so complicated? Why does it have to be
something people have to live up to? This societally great practice can be very harmful to people
if it gets to an extreme level.
“Productivity” is used as a measure to see how much you have accomplished and can be a very
effective way to keep ourselves on track to reach goals. However, falling into a cycle of having
an over-achieving mentality at all times can be a challenging lifestyle to live with. What is a
productive day? What does a productive day look like to you? These are important questions to
ask yourself when assessing the habits that contribute to your mental health.
You do not have to earn meals or sleep, you need both of these things. You do not by any means
have to punish yourself by abstaining from the necessities of life to obtain them after achieving
your goals. Rest and food are fuel to the body and these things do not have to be held as prizes
for completing a task.
Our ultimate purpose as human beings is to feel content and fulfilled with our lives and the ones
we affect around us. Anything that helps us achieve this is productivity, anything that comes in
the way of this is unproductive. We must consider, though, at what cost are we willing to be
“productive?” Our mental health and sanity are very important, they ultimately drive us while
ensuring that we are healthy people and can function the way we intend to.
Many people misunderstand the actual meaning of productivity. It isn’t to always be doing
something and making “money moves”, and it isn’t to have a “money-making mindset” running
through your bloodstream in every waking moment. It is in turn to fulfill life’s purpose, which is
life itself Sadhguru said, “It is to live.” It is essential to understand the value of your life and
what it is meant for. While always seeking improvement and growth is healthy, acknowledging
the distance you’ve come in life is essential to contentment.
If you want to spend a day doing your favorite thing, you are giving your soul a reason to still be
with you, that is productive. If you want to unwind with your friends or family, then you are
feeding your heart the happiness it deserves, that is productive. If you need a day off from
everything and want to do nothing, you are preserving your mental health, it is productive. If you
need to grind all day and meet a close deadline, then that is what you must do and it is
productive, however not more or less productive than any of the other days when you are
genuinely enjoying life