That dopamine hit when you smash your to-do list? It feels amazing… until it owns you.
I’ve been there. Post-2005 firing, I ground 24/7 like a machine. The rush became compulsive. Rest felt like failure. Turns out that’s not productivity; it’s workaholism wearing a mask.
5 Red Flags You’re Addicted
- You check DMs at dinner and feel guilty if you don’t.
- A single “slow” day makes you feel like a total loser.
- Your phone is glued to your hand—even in the bathroom.
- You schedule content weeks ahead but never truly unplug.
- You’re physically present with family but mentally somewhere else.
The Hidden Costs
- Relationships quietly erode (kids notice when your eyes aren’t really on them).
- Chronic exhaustion + brain fog become your new normal.
- Long-term output crashes—burnout kills streaks faster than laziness ever could.
3 Fixes That Actually Work
1. Audit your wins nightly Grab a physical journal. Write every win—big, small, silly. After 7 days, circle what actually moved the needle. Ruthlessly cut the rest.
2. Enforce hard stops Mine: screens off 8 PM sharp. Yours might be 5 PM or weekends 10–11 AM only. Black-and-white rules beat gray-area guilt.
3. Redefine success Gary Vee’s line nails it: some $50k earners are happier than $50M earners because they’re present. Ask yourself daily: “Is productivity serving me, or am I serving it?”
Your 7-Day Challenge
Log three “productive” days this week. Spot one compulsive task. Swap it for pure rest.
Because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy… and eventually breaks him.