We are working ourselves to death.

In Japan, there is a term known as ‘Karoshi’, which translates to ‘overwork death’. This issue is a continual point of focus for Japan’s labor ministry because recent statistics show that this condition impacts not just more mature workers, but is found to impact young people in their 20s and 30s even more. A recent white paper by Japan’s labor ministry outlines the need for preventative measures, especially in the media and construction industry.

Japan is not alone in this issue - workers in other parts of the world also suffer from similar cases. As depicted in Ziya Tong’s book - The Reality Bubble - workers on a factory assembly line in Asia are afraid of taking bathroom breaks because it would impact their productivity numbers throughout the day; this leads to health issues, because workers avoid drinking water throughout their shift so they do not have to go on a bathroom break.

Back in 2008 and 2009, 35 of France Telecom’s workers committed suicide, where workers left notes saying that work stress and management decisions led to their deaths.

Yes - the facts are morbid but are needed for us to see that overwork death is still very much an issue not just in Japan but around the world. With our mobile phones attached to our hands throughout the day - whether we are grabbing a coffee, texting, checking social media or email - being ‘on-the-go’ was positioned as a positive thing when mobile phones were first unveiled, whereas now there are more than a few books, articles, and podcasts telling us to unplug. The key is as always, is balance, but how do we find that?

REDEFINING THE MEANING OF BEING PRODUCTIVE

Why have we equated the word “productivity” to a short-term transactional meaning? We cram our days with to-do lists, as if we our lives depend on checking off every item every day; and when we fail to do so, which is often because there are a variety of other ‘fires’ to put out once you settle in with your morning coffee at your desk, anxiety and stress levels run high.

I want to encourage us to think of productivity as “what can I do today to make me more productive and function better as a human being over the next week, month, and year?”

While we will still have our daily to-dos, the realization that the sky won’t fall down if you don’t complete the task today, merely the realization of this, will alleviate some pressure.

Working incessantly 24/7 around the clock doesn’t mean you are going to be the most productive, oftentimes it just means you are the most burnt out. What does burn out lead to? Inability to think clearly and strategically about what matters in the mid and long term for you (and for your business).

A METHOD THAT FOSTERS CREATIVITY AND RELAXATION

I have a set schedule I stick to each week, and I am pretty militaristic about it, but I leave room for flexibility to honor what my body needs (in the words of my yoga instructor). Maybe I don’t need to go to both 9 am yoga classes on Saturday and Sunday. Maybe Sunday I let myself sleep in and rest (something we awkwardly value less with motivational quotes such as ‘sleep is for the weak’!)

Your brain is a muscle, and for those who adhere to workout regimens, if you did leg day for seven days straight you will feel pain and fatigue, which shouldn’t be your end goal. You work different parts of your body on different days throughout the week because it allows for better long term development, right?

Think of your brain in a similar way. If you dedicate it to focusing just on mundane, repetitive tasks through your entire week, putting endless pressure on yourself to ‘get things done’, you are not giving your brain the opportunity to develop its creative capacity. Moreover, working long hours of overtime furthers this stress and anxiety, so you need to set clear boundaries where you let your mind rest.

This is why I consciously take one day in the week to allow my brain to think creatively, to plan for the longer term, to envision what I want to see in 3, 6, 12 months, instead of what needs to be completed in 3, 6, 12 hours. This allows you to decipher what TYPE of productivity will matter in the long run and have the most impact on your long-term goals. Does it really make you better in the long run to go through all your business receipts on a Saturday afternoon? Or will a run outside help your mind and body more?

How many of us get our best ideas when our brain is relaxed? Whether when you are driving, in the shower, practicing yoga, or sitting in the park with your favorite book - moments when you are the least stressed about coming up with a brilliant idea is when your brain delivers one to you.

What do I want you to take away from reading this piece? Recognize the importance of letting your body and mind rest. When you are always stretched for time, chasing the next deadline, you are in fight or flight mode, how can you possibly see the opportunities past today?