Further, we have to learn that the value of work is not reflected in its monetary compensation or profitability. Some of the hardest and most essential work in our society is done by people who are either very poorly paid or not paid for it at all.
this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2025
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How do y'all balance your desire to do more with the understanding that this societal drive for more productivity is partly an unhealthy mindset forced by capitalism?
The term 'productivity' originated to describe the output of workers in a capitalist enterprise per unit time, money, energy, etc. to maximize efficiency. Over time, the term has shifted to 'personal productivity', and the definition has broadened to simply 'using your time intentionally in ways aligned with your broader goals'. To a certain extent this gives us more control, although it also means that productivity is now all-encompassing in our lives as a general pressure, internal and external, to get more stuff done.
Obviously, these origins mean that productivity was originally created by and for capitalism. But it is also necessary to maximize productivity irregardless of capitalism sometimes, such as increasing the time per week you spend organizing, learning socialist theory, and working on personal growth.
If everyone slows down on their productivity (termed lying flat in China and quiet quitting in the USA), then societal progress will slow. In the worst case, we may fall behind the capitalists and enter USSR-style malaise.
So how do y'all reconcile this? It's been bothering me for a while. I feel like a hypocrite telling others it's OK to reject the rat race while I'm frantically consuming productivity books and learning as much as I can.