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Last week, my university advertised a "pandemic productivity" seminar. Today, I got the "due to unforeseen circumstances" cancellation message.
Unforeseen? Really? This little example shows why we need to change the narrative about productivity amid crisis.
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Unforeseen? Really? This little example shows why we need to change the narrative about productivity amid crisis.
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For the record, I've been a very "productive" in my academic work during the pandemic. I am not against productivity. But, this has absolutely nothing to do with my merit. It has to do with my luck. /1
We are living in an uncertainty vortex with a thousand moving variables that affect what we can and cannot do each day. I don't control 90% of those variables, and so what I can and cannot do each day isn't decided by me. /2
These variables change every day, and so one day you're sailing, and the next day you're screwed. The external factors change without our consent. And no matter how much you meditate, humans just don't have total control over their brain chemistry. /3
Our obsession with productivity - writing articles or cleaning closets - is about our loss of control. Amid terrible uncertainty, it feels really good to exert some control over our environment. But the truth is, we don't control when we get those moments of control. /4
When lucky, I have enjoyed the illusion of control that being "productive" gives me. It feels like micro-level forward motion amid a total systemwide standstill. This illusion helps me mitigate the stress of the reality that I am powerless over this systemic disaster. /5
But when my luck runs thin, maintaining this illusion of productivity is nothing but a waste of energy. In acute periods of crisis, the gears switch automatically. It's stupid to work on papers and clean closets when you are in crisis mode. Focus on survival! /6
The idea that we can come up with some "tips and tricks" to work under systemic, life-threatening uncertainty is ridiculous. And even more, being productive under these conditions is not about merit. It's about privilege. /7
If you are lucky in this pandemic, you will not die, incur permanent organ damage, lose your loved ones, lose your livelihood, or get compound physical & mental health problems. But.. that is still not enough luck to think you should have to run a marathon & write 100 papers. /8
A lucky productivity day requires so much more. Adequate home space. Safe social connections & mental health support. Assurances your loved ones are safe. And a magical alignment of stars so your family, partner, kids or pets aren't having crises of their own. 
/9
/9
If any one of those stars is misaligned... poof! 
There goes your lucky productivity day. And you know what? Who cares. Maintaining our productivity illusion is not as important as maintaining the wellbeing of our families & ourselves. We are right to shift gears. /10
There goes your lucky productivity day. And you know what? Who cares. Maintaining our productivity illusion is not as important as maintaining the wellbeing of our families & ourselves. We are right to shift gears. /10
On those rare days with super work, clear boundaries & proper self-care... we are extremely fortunate people. But that's not a gold standard we have to meet everyday. And it's definitely not something to boast about or hold others to. It's a privilege when we are so lucky. /11
That also means that "unproductive days" have no blame or shame associated with them. They aren't signs of brokenness that need to be fixed with productivity seminars. We are all living with nonstop "unforeseen circumstances". That's everybody's baseline today. /12
If today we are lucky enough to write, create & organize, let's enjoy the illusion of control it gives us. Amen. Hallelujah. If the stars aren't aligned that way, today is also a great day to just be a human being who is surviving a global disaster. 
/x
If the stars aren't aligned that way, today is also a great day to just be a human being who is surviving a global disaster. /x
