Are you running on panic or deep flow for productivity?

According to this article, many of us have been running on "panic productivity" during the pandemic. If initially it was a very appropriate response (we got a lot done in a short term), maintaining it has drained a lot of us, pushing many into burnout and depression.

Panic productivity is working with the energy of fear

Something happens, the rush of adrenaline gives us the energy to act. This can be triggered by an urgency or a short deadline. We know the drill.

The plus side of panic productivity?

It raises energy and mobilizes us into action quickly. It is better than sadness, boredom or apathy on the emotional scale (see Dr Hawkins' work). We get things done and fast, no questions asked.

Fear-based energy does not feel as good as being in the flow and working in contentment and joy. It is much more productive and satisfying to be acting from high vibe energy rather than from fear and frustration.

Being in the flow is having both alertness (just enough stress) and ease in action. We remain calm and positive while focused and fully engaged and present to what we do.

Why I think we rely of panic productivity

I wonder if we tend to rely on panic productivity to avoid the initial discomfort that comes with getting in the flow. You know this sense of agitation we feel when we know we need to do something demanding or challenging?

We tend to seek comfort. We have been told to reduce our stress levels.

When we feel agitation, our reflex is to distract ourselves from it or shake it off by doing something easy that provides immediate satisfaction (we love scrolling on social media, eating, smoking, drinking...).

Has Dr Huberman explains, this agitation is normal and the price to pay to get into flow.

It is a sign that our body is getting ready to adapt and learn. The agitation we feel is the rising of stress hormones that prepare us for action and for being alert and focused.

How do we lean into the initial discomfort?

The best way to handle the initial agitation is by getting into action and persisting for about 10-15 minutes.

After that, we get into deep focus and productivity. Our body and mind are balanced, alert yet relaxed.

Have you ever gone running for more than 15 minutes?

If so, you know the initial 10-15 minutes are always uncomfortable. Past that, your body has adapted to changing circumstances and is running smoothly to support your effort.

If you never ran past 10-15 minutes (and you have no health issues), it maybe worthwhile to experiment running a bit longer next time and notice how your body's initial stress response makes way for ease and flow.

You also need to switch off and recover

Note that being productive in the flow is not something you can sustain 100% of the time.

Your energy goes through cycles. Following your ultradian cycles, your focus would last for about 60 minutes past the initial agitation and before you feel a drop of focus and urge to rest.

You can combine a few of these cycles in a row with only a short 5-15 minutes break, but not all day.

When you are done with one or a series of cycles, you need to switch off.

You need to recover from the hard work.

Being in flow or deep focus work may be a positive state, it is still demanding in terms of energy.

Are you willing to stop relying on panic productivity?

Try to get into the difficult or demanding thing you need to do for at least 15 min without interruption.

Notice how the initial discomfort or desire to distract yourself gives way to focus.

If you want to know on the benefits of embracing discomfort, read this blog post. Want to get strategies on how to leverage discomfort for your well-being, read this one.