Productivity Theater

Many of us into the trap of performative busyness get caught

Even when we are not actually working, we pretend we are working a lot

It is imperative to be seen as working, so we strive

To make our work visible, trying to survive

In a competitive world where the optics happen to be

As important as actual productivity

So we take a “working lunch”, leave the workplace late

Keep multiple tabs on multiple devices open to illustrate

Just how busy we are, juggling many tasks simultaneously

Our work becomes performative, for the audience to see

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The more performative work becomes, the more our productivity declines

Because getting actual work done requires focusing our mind

On the tasks at hand, tackling them one by one

Engaging in this productivity theater does not let work get done

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To be mindful of performative work, I have recently tried

I am more focused on real work, and I feel satisfied

With my work day when I leave work on time

I am learning not to let others’ perception my worth determine