When does productivity become toxic? (with Israa Nasir)
Nov 20, 2024
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In a thoughtful conversation, Isra Nasir, a NYC-based psychotherapist and founder of WellGuide, tackles the fine line between productivity and toxicity. She explores how self-worth should not hinge on societal achievements, advocating for a values-driven approach. Isra offers practical strategies to combat negative thoughts, emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation, and discusses the 'opposite action' technique from dialectical behavioral therapy. The episode wraps up with tips on mindfulness to enhance emotional awareness and well-being.
Toxic productivity stems from equating self-worth with achievements, leading individuals to seek validation through external outcomes like promotions or appearance.
Connecting productivity to personal values encourages individuals to pursue meaningful experiences, rather than succumbing to societal pressures and standard markers of success.
Emotional regulation is essential to sustain healthy ambition and prevent unresolved feelings from driving harmful behaviors and toxic productivity.
Deep dives
Understanding Toxic Productivity
Toxic productivity is characterized by an unhealthy relationship between self-worth and achievement. Individuals often tie their sense of value to specific outcomes, such as job promotions or physical appearance, leading to a damaging mindset. For instance, a person might feel they are a failure if they do not receive a promotion or lose a certain amount of weight, reflecting a deep societal conditioning. This pattern of thinking can create a cycle where one’s identity and happiness become overly dependent on external validation and success.
Anchoring Self-Worth to Values
A crucial insight is that self-worth should be viewed as an independent variable, much like a constant in a science experiment. It should not fluctuate based on external achievements or failures, but rather be grounded in personal values. This approach allows individuals to derive a sense of worth from within, irrespective of external outcomes. By aligning productivity with core values, people can engage in meaningful actions that resonate deeply with their true selves, rather than pursuing what society expects.
Aligning Productivity with Personal Values
Connecting productivity to personal values involves redirecting efforts toward meaningful pursuits instead of temporary societal milestones. Many people are driven to achieve goals that they do not genuinely care about, such as home ownership, simply because of external pressures. A healthier approach encourages individuals to prioritize experiences and passions that reflect their true priorities. For example, someone might choose to invest in travel or personal growth experiences instead of adhering to conventional markers of success like property ownership.
Managing Ambition and Emotional Well-Being
Ambition should not be an antidote for emotional dissatisfaction; rather, it can lead to unbalanced productivity if left unchecked. Healthy ambition is sustainable and nourishes both personal well-being and relationships, while toxic ambition often sacrifices health and happiness for the sake of achievement. By reflecting on intentions behind ambitions and recognizing their long-term effects, individuals can create a balanced approach that fulfills both goals and emotional needs. Emotional regulation plays a critical role in ensuring that ambition does not evolve into a harmful pursuit driven by fear or comparison.
The Importance of Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is vital for maintaining productivity and pursuing goals without falling into the trap of toxic productivity. When individuals do not manage their emotions, unresolved feelings can manifest in harmful behaviors such as overworking or seeking validation through achievements. For sustainability and success, it is essential to cultivate an awareness of emotions and respond constructively. Building habits rooted in self-awareness and intentionality allows for healthier coping strategies, preventing emotions from dictating one’s productivity and self-worth.
When does productivity become toxic? To which part(s) of ourselves or our lives should we anchor our self-worth? How can we connect our productivity to our values? How does self-esteem intersect with productivity? When should we listen to our bodies and intuitions, and when should we ignore them and perhaps even do the opposite? How should achievements affect our sense of self-worth? What are some techniques for emotional regulation? What is the "narrator mind" useful for? What are some good coping mechanisms? How ambitious should we be? How can we figure out whether our own productivity system is toxic or not?
Israa Nasir, MHC-LP, is a New York City-based psychotherapist, writer, and the founder of WellGuide — a digital community for mental health awareness. A Pakistani-Canadian child of immigrants, she has a specific focus on mental health, identity formation, and healing for the AAPI first- and second-generation immigrant community. Israa has been featured in NBC, Vox, Huffpost, Teen Vogue, and other major publications and has been invited to speak at corporations such as Google, Meta, and Yale University. Israa sits on the Mental Health Advisory Board for both PopSugar (Vox Media) and the menstrual health product and advocacy brand, August. Learn more about her at her website, israanasir.com.