Why modern productivity is quietly working against human nature
We can see how rapidly technology is evolving and reshaping the entire world: society, markets, jobs, and industries. Everyone is trying to catch up. Even people who aren’t naturally drawn to technology are being forced to adapt. Don’t you think?
But here’s the challenge, as humans, we can only do so much in a day. Our capacity is limited, and yet, with so many tools, apps, and technologies available, we’ve started believing that we can do more, more & more. That we can be endlessly efficient, endlessly productive, endlessly “on.”
Of course, this is amazing in many ways. I get it that technology is helping people in ways we could never imagine, whether it’s managing diseases, supporting vulnerable communities, increasing accessibility, or making life possible in ways that were impossible before. It’s truly fascinating
But at the same time, for the average person, especially professionals, it creates pressure that is hard to bear. The pressure of constant notifications, emails, and digital demands distracts us from our natural flow. Even if nothing is urgent, our focus is fractured. We start questioning ourselves, thinking that “there’s something wrong with me, my capacity, my efficiency.”
But no. It’s not you. This entire pace is against human nature. We’re trying to operate at a speed that isn’t ours, and that’s why it feels impossible, and the consequences go deeper than stress.
When our attention is constantly pulled in every direction, things happen like:
- Creativity suffers because focus and depth are the only ways to truly create.
- Relationships suffer because we’re distracted, always half-present.
- Our holistic health is compromised because we are continuously running to do ‘more’.
- Long-term life satisfaction suffers because we develop a habit of chasing continuous stimulation, never pausing to reflect.
All these effects happen because we are moving against our natural cycle, moments of focus, reflection, rest, and connection, which are essential for holistic well-being.
The question I have been posing myself lately: why do we fall into this trap?
Some common reasons I think of are fear, so called “FOMO”, and social comparison. When everyone around us seems hyper-productive or achieving more, it feels like we are not enough, even if we already have more than sufficient things in our lives. In fact, this pressure became normalised lately, internalised, and constant. At Least I feel it all the time, especially in the big cities.
What can we do about it?
So, what’s the solution? I think we all know — Taking a step back, slowing down.
Of course, if we consider best practices, there are several concepts such as intentional living in Yoga, mindfulness, proactive living, and reflecting on our inner beliefs. The idea here is to slow down, align ourselves with our natural capacity, and make choices according to what truly matters, based on our values and principles, rather than what technology, peer pressure, or society dictates.
At the core, we are draining ourselves because we are going against nature. Technology and societal expectations push us beyond our limits. But human capacity, mental health, creativity, and well-being are defined by natural rhythms. Don’t you think?
The gap between these two, the pace society demands and the pace humans can sustainably maintain, is simply growing, and it’s creating challenges we often misattribute to ourselves.
Trust me, I am all for technology; it is incredible but alignment with human nature is essential. Ultimately, it’s not about slowing the world down, but about finding stillness within ourselves. Because when we honour our natural rhythm, we create space for clarity, creativity, and deeper connection with ourselves, others, and life itself.
Thank you for reading.
Namaste!
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