7 Misguided Productivity Hacks that Cause Stress and Burnout

Do you want to get things done efficiently and effectively with the minimal amount of stress?

You have probably tried a number of hacks (some of which have worked very well) to boost your productivity.

However, for some mystifying reason, you still feel stressed out.

Here’s the secret.

Not all productivity hacks reduce stress.

Some hacks actually increase stress and if you continue using these methods, it could lead to burnout that could actually be avoided.

Making a few simple changes to these tried and proven productivity hacks would not only reduce your stress levels but boost your efficiency as well.

This is a list of 7 misguided productivity hacks, and the changes that you can make to reduce your stress.

Misguided Hack #1: Having a Morning Cup of Coffee

A common productivity hack is to have a cup of coffee to start your day.

However, if you are like most people, your stress hormones peak between 8am to 9am. Coffee increases stress hormones and adding caffeine to peaking hormones is adding unnecessary fuel to a raging fire.

Rather than drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, have half a cup instead. This reduces the spike in stress hormones when stress levels are at their peak.

Misguided Hack #2: Having a 8–10 hour Work-Day 

Another common productivity tip is to plan your 8–10 hour workday.

However, thinking of your workday as 8–10 hours causes unnecessary stress. Imagine all the tasks that you have to do in a typical workday and you know what I mean.

To reduce stress, break your workday into 1-hour intervals and think of your workday as intervals instead. Notice the difference in the stress levels that you have now when imagining your workday? 

Misguided Hack #3: Having an Empty Inbox all the time

Some productivity blogs recommend an empty inbox with no unread messages. Every time a notification appears, you respond to the message.

What they don’t tell you is that your stress hormones spike each time a notification appears. On average, a person checks their phone 96 times a day. Having your stress levels constantly spiking causes you to be on edge all the time. 

Turn off all unnecessary notifications. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode when possible. Do this for a few days and you would start to feel more relaxed.

Misguided Hack #4: Making Yourself Comfortable 

Do you have backaches or body pains from working?

One productivity tip is to make yourself comfortable while working. However, being too comfortable causes a person to stay in position for a long time and causes stress to build in your body. 

Make it a point to walk around every hour or so. Stretch or do some light exercises during lunch and after the work day. Your body will thank you in the long run.

Misguided Hack #5: Stopping when the Deadline is Up

Are you stressed out from having to juggle multiple projects?

Most people think that switching to a different task when the deadline is up would boost productivity. However, leaving something incomplete would not allow you to get the energy boost from finishing a task.

You can overcome this is by defining smaller, accomplishable tasks that you can finish within your deadline. Completing tasks boosts your self-confidence and reduces the stress that you have from incomplete tasks.

Misguided Hack #6: Having a Work Blitz

Do you have expectations of yourself to work at peak efficiency all day?

Some productivity hacks recommend to blitz through the day to get things done. However, it is scientifically proven that there are 2 golden hours a day where you are the most productive. 

When you try to treat each hour the same, it causes you unnecessary stress. Identify your most productive hours and do your most difficult work then. This helps you to get your work done quickly and efficiently.

Misguided Hack #7: Setting Self-Imposed SMART Goals 

Set SMART goals, everybody has heard of this productivity hack. 

One key point that most people miss out to make SMART goals work is to rely on yourself to complete a goal. Most people fail with self-imposed SMART goals because they get stressed out in pushing themselves.

Studies show that sharing your deadlines with other people increases the probability of succeeding in your goals. So share your goals with others and boost your chances of success.

Get Rid of Unnecessary Stress!

Changing stress-inducing productivity habits may be hard, but doing so now leads to a healthier and happier life.

Imagine what your life could be like if you could be just as efficient with much less stress.

Imagine how would you feel?

From reducing your morning cup of coffee, to changing the way that you think about your day, getting up to walk… Most of these productivity hacks only require simple tweaks to reduce the stress that you have.

So take action now, make the necessary changes, and you are on your way to an effective, efficient and stress-free life.