The Productivity Myth: Doing More vs. Doing Well
Let’s have a heart-to-heart about something I used to wear like a badge of honor: being busy! I once believed that if my inbox was overflowing, my calendar booked, and I was using all three color-coded legal pads on hand, I was doing it right. I was being productive. Thriving, even. I was doing more and doing well. Or so I thought?!
It turns out—I wasn’t doing well. I was just… spinning and tumbling in the throws of the burnout cycle.
In the legal profession, hustle culture is practically baked into the breakroom coffee. We’re praised for logging long hours, skipping breaks, and pulling off those “heroic” last-minute filings. But somewhere between the caffeine and the chaos, I started asking a deeper question:
Am I doing more… or am I doing well?
💥 Spoiler alert: They are not the same.
⚖️ Why We Confuse Productivity with Worth
Research from the Harvard Business Review shows that over 70% of professionals equate their productivity with their self-worth. In law, where output often feels like a measure of value, it’s no surprise that boundaries blur fast.
But here’s what that “always-on” mindset gets us:
- Higher rates of burnout (legal pros are twice as likely to struggle with mental health, according to statistics from the ABA)
- Decreased cognitive performance (Stanford found that productivity drops significantly after 50 hours/week)
- Decision fatigue, missed details, and—let’s be honest—way more stress-snacking
We keep trying to add things—apps, alerts, time-blocking hacks—but what if the real secret isn’t doing more?
What if it’s doing less… better?
✋ What I’m Not Doing This Week
So this week, I’m dropping a few things:
- ✖️ Saying “yes” to every calendar invite out of guilt
- ✖️ Responding to non-urgent emails after 6 p.m.
- ✖️ Multitasking during Zoom calls while secretly wishing I was outside
Instead, I’m trading those for quality over quantity. I’m focusing on presence, not just productivity. And I’m challenging you to do the same.
🧠 Wellness Reflection Prompt
Here’s your Wellness Wednesday Challenge:
What’s one thing you can stop doing this week—something that isn’t serving your well-being, your focus, or your future self?
Maybe it’s skipping your lunch. Or working through migraines. Or just pretending you’re fine when you’re running on fumes.
Give yourself permission to opt out of the hustle, even if just for one hour. One day. One habit. You’re allowed.
💬 Comment or email me—what are you saying “no” to this week?
I promise, your nervous system will thank you.