The Shame of Productivity

Driving the desire for better work, yet making it impossible to ever achieve

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

So here’s my problem with productivity.

It starts out great, full of hope and promise and positive energy.

Like I’m looking to solve a fun puzzle by creating some clever setup that has all sorts of cool automations and systems that all feel fun and exciting when I’m building it.

But then that other part of productivity comes in. That part driven mostly by, well, years and years of shame.

In my head, I constantly hear those should-be-able-tos:

• I should be able to stay focused on what’s in front of me

• I should be able to work on this important task without getting distracted

• I should be able to remember the specific project details

• I should be able to keep track of my commitments

• I should be able to __________

Even now that I know about my ADHD, and how it directly affects my relationship with focus, time, memory, etc—the voice behind those should-be-able-tos has been repeating in my head for so long that the echoes still remain and haven’t grown much quieter.

It doesn’t sound like they will stop reverberating any time soon…

And what's worse, the should-be-able-tos lead a direct path to the shouldn't-need-tos.

• I shouldn't need to rely on alarms to remind me to stay on task

• I shouldn't need to ask for clarification on assignments or projects

• I shouldn't need to have multiple alarms for a single appointment

• I shouldn't need to use work accommodations even though they are available

• I shouldn't need to __________

We’re getting hit with shame from both sides.

It feels like we’re constantly battling what we think we should be capable of (because of societal pressure) and the reality of how our brains work differently.

While those echoes may never fully go away, always remember to challenge them—ask if they are a voice from the present that is worth listening to, or if you’re just hearing echoes from the past, full of judgement rather than understanding.

Who cares if the way you do it means you need to use a timer to stay on task, or you prefer to approach the problem “backwards” because that makes more sense to your brain, or whatever way you find to work that seems to be compatible with your brain?

Embrace what works for you! Recognize that your needs and your way of solving a problem is just as valid as the “common sense” approach.

Your path to productivity needn’t be driven by shame.

Stay curious,
Jesse J. Anderson