Productivity dysmorphia is a term coined by Anna Codrea-Rado that explains why you feel down about your productivity, even when it’s clear to everyone else you’re doing a great job. There are ways to battle this feeling and relieve some of that anxiety.
Write down your to-do list
Recognize intellectually that you are meeting your goals and doing good work
- Mark down your goals as you accomplish them
- At the end of the day, even if half of the items on the list are checked off, you will see how much work you really did
Take positive messages to heart
We get a lot of feedback during the workday that can go unappreciated because of the pace at which we work
- Create a folder on your phone or computer where you can save screenshots of positive appraisals
- For example, when you get a Slack message commending you for a great job on a project, stick it in the folder.
Reframe your idea of “productivity”
Relaxing and refreshing your mind and body will enable you to accomplish more in the near future without risking the dreaded burnout.
- Celebrate everything you do as a step toward productivity. Write down your rest periods, too. They count.
