105: How Netflix Became My Productivity Booster

Hi Mate!

Have you ever felt guilty for taking a break?

You’re not alone.

In our constant search for getting things done, we’re often told that downtime is wasted time.

Fun stuff like binge-watching series on Netflix, gaming, or enjoying a coffee break are seen as big mistakes against being efficient.

This toxic productivity mindset, pushed by self-proclaimed productivity gurus, secretly steals our joy and makes many of us feel totally exhausted.

I, too, was stuck in this never-ending loop of productivity guilt and overwork, which led to burnout and lost months of recovery—time that could have advanced my goals.

Yet, there’s always a beacon of hope.

Through my experience, I’ve come to realize:

Rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for peak performance.

This discovery isn't just about me; it's also supported by research-backed book Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.

These insights are so profound that even Google invited Pang to talk to their employees about importance of rest.

The Role of Rest in Achieving Peak Productivity

In fitness, rest is vital for muscles to recover and grow.

Tough workouts cause tiny tears in muscles, which heal and get stronger during rest.

The same idea works for mental work: working hard mentally without enough rest can lead to 'cognitive tears'—signs of mental tiredness that might lead to burnout, less productivity, and bad overall health.

Neglecting rest can lead to mental burnout, feeling totally exhausted, having a negative attitude about work, and feeling less effective.

Too much stress, without proper rest, can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Rest is super important for a productive and healthy life, helping us stay mentally strong and physically healthy.

Misrepresentation of Rest

In our fast world, the hunt for being super productive often messes up our special times of rest.

Productivity gurus misrepresent leisure time as another chance for super efficiency instead of just relaxing, which can harm our health and performance.

Imagine you're on a sunny beach, listening to the waves, feeling peaceful.

But instead of just enjoying it, thoughts like “What should I do next week?” ruin the peace and make you feel guilty.

An article from the BBC talks about how such practices on our well-being:

• Stress from Relaxing: Trying to make the most of free time can make it less fun and more stressful.

• Productivity or Fun: Picking being productive over having fun, especially in super-stressful jobs, isn't good for mental health.

• Modern Problems: These days, people think having not much free time is great, which means we need to rethink how we see having fun.

By understanding these things, we can remember what free time is really about, valuing it for keeping us healthy and happy, not just for being more productive.

A Guide For Guilt-Free Rest

To balance productivity with well-being, I've made some rules for myself to rest effectively, which helps me be more productive and stay healthy without productivity guilt.

1. Shutdown Routine

I've made a routine for the evening: when it's time to stop working, I stop.

This marks the beginning of leisure time, allowing me to binge-watch Netflix without work worries or guilt.

2. Setting Boundaries

Having too much free time can cause problems like spending too long watching Netflix, missing meals, or not sleeping well.

I stop this by time-blocking my calendar, making sure free time doesn't mess up important things.

3. Being Intentional

Having fun and being productive means being intentional.

I watch Netflix when I plan to, not just when I feel like it, makes it productive.

It's about choosing to relax on purpose, not letting free time control me.

Conclusion

Being productive means finding a balance between working and resting.

By enjoying free time without feeling guilty, we nourish our well-being and enhance our performance.

Let's rethink what success means, not by how busy we are, but by how well we can keep being productive with good rest.

So, enjoy your Netflix binge or coffee break—they’re your well-deserved recharge for life’s marathon.

Catch you on Thursday at 5:31 AM EST!

Discipulus.