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How Productivity Can (Accidentally) Help You Dodge Real Feelings
- Meg Steinschauer, MBA
- Apr 14
- 7 min read
Why Being Busy Isn’t Always Progress
I used to wear my busyness like a crown. If there was data to analyse, I’d volunteer. If my inbox was empty, I’d hit refresh every five seconds, just in case something new came in. From the outside, it looked like I had it all together. On paper, I was the gold standard of productivity. But behind the scenes? Not so much.
Whenever I felt anxious or uneasy, I’d bury myself in work. The bigger the emotion, the longer my to-do list became. At the time, I truly believed I was just being thorough. But one day, it hit me, I wasn’t just busy; I was hiding. Productivity had become my escape hatch, my socially acceptable way of dodging hard feelings.
And if that sounds like you, I want you to know this: you’re not broken. You’re not failing at life. You’ve just learned a coping mechanism that’s been rewarded by society. The good news? There's a way to stay ambitious and productive without running yourself into the ground or avoiding what’s really going on.
Over time, I picked up a few strategies that helped. They’ve given me balance, some peace of mind, and surprisingly, a lot more energy. I hope they can do the same for you.
⚠️ Recognise the Productivity Trap
Picture this. You feel something uncomfortable brewing in your chest. Maybe it’s anxiety or frustration or just that vague sense of "off-ness". Instead of sitting with it for even a nanosecond, BAM! Your brain goes, “Why not reorganise the pantry? Heck, why not schedule back-to-back meetings all week?” By the time you’re done, you’re exhausted but still unsettled.
Here’s why this trap works (but not in the way you want it to). Our brains are wired to avoid discomfort. When emotions like uncertainty or fear show up, your mind goes into overdrive, searching for something productive to distract from it. Researchers Mojallal et al. (2022) found that this pattern of emotional avoidance can lead to burnout. Essentially, the more you avoid those emotions, the bigger the emotional debt you’re racking up.
Action Tip: The next time you catch yourself knee-deep in unnecessary busywork, pause and ask, “Am I working because it’s actually needed, or am I avoiding something brewing under the surface?”
“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” –Mahatma Gandhi
Sometimes, slowing down isn’t just the brave thing to do, it’s the smart thing.
Name It To Tame It
Alright, confession time. When I first heard that naming your emotions could help you manage them, I thought, “Seriously? That’s it?” But here’s the thing, I tried it, and it kind of blew my mind. When I labelled my feelings (“This is anxiety” or “This is disappointment”), they suddenly became less overwhelming. Naming them gave me enough distance to deal with them, rather than getting drowned by them.
This isn’t just anecdotal. Research from Girardi et al. (2021) shows that labelling emotions activates the logical part of your brain, helping you process them so they don’t hijack your ability to think clearly. It’s like spotting a storm in the distance instead of being caught in its winds.
Action Tip: Practise this simple exercise. When you feel something bubbling up, say (in your head or out loud), “This is [emotion].” Keep it neutral. No judgement. Just name and breathe.
“You cannot heal what you do not reveal.” –Jay-Z
While Jay-Z might not have had neuroscience in mind, he was onto something.
Don’t Fear Your Feelings (They’re Just Data)
There was a time when I thought emotions were obstacles, especially in work settings. Feeling angry? Bury it. Feeling sad? Shake it off. But here’s something I’ve learned the hard way. Your feelings aren’t problems to fix; they’re clues. They tell you when something needs attention.
Carl Jung famously said, “What we resist, persists.” Suppressing your emotions doesn’t make you stronger. It just amplifies what you’re pushing away. Recognising your feelings doesn’t make you weak; it makes you wiser. It’s like using Google Maps instead of wandering the streets blindfolded.
Action Tip: Next time an uncomfortable feeling rears its head, try seeing it as a signal. Ask, “What is this emotion telling me?” Maybe frustration is nudging you to set a boundary. Maybe sadness is reminding you to take a break. Whatever it is, lean in gently.
“Your emotions aren’t liabilities; they’re guides.” –Dr. Susan David
Micro-Check-Ins for Macro Impact
Here’s another myth I used to believe. Emotional awareness required hours of journaling or deep therapy-level introspection. But honestly? Small daily check-ins can work wonders. A quick “how am I feeling?” moment paired with a deep breath can stop stress from snowballing during the day.
This lines up with findings from Girardi et al. (2021), who explained that regular emotional check-ins improve self-awareness and make problem-solving easier. Turns out, tuning into my feelings for just a few seconds helped me make better choices in the long run.
Action Tip: Set one or two phone reminders tomorrow that simply say, “Pause. What’s going on inside?” When the notification pops up, spend 15 seconds noticing how you feel. No overthinking required.
“Small hinges swing big doors.” –Unknown
Flip the Script on Emotional Processing
We’ve been taught that emotions = weakness. But suppressing emotions ≠ strength. It actually dulls decision-making and keeps you stuck in reactive, fear-based patterns. When you process an emotion (even the scary ones), you strengthen your ability to lead and think strategically.
Why it matters: Acceptance-based emotional strategies like those in ACT therapy can supercharge workplace performance (Shulga et al., 2024).
Action step: Shift your self-talk from, “Feeling this is a waste of time” to “Feeling this will help me show up better tomorrow.”
“Your emotions aren’t liabilities; they’re guides.” – Dr. Susan David
Balancing Ambition with Emotional Honesty
Here’s the kicker. You don’t have to choose between being a high-achiever and being an emotionally aware human. You can do both. You can smash your to-do list and acknowledge what’s simmering under the surface. Actually, recognising your emotions might even boost your productivity because you’ll deal with problems head-on instead of letting them fester.
If all of this feels a little much, start small. Choose one thing to try today. Maybe name your emotions. Or set a reminder for a micro-check-in. Or give yourself five guilt-free minutes of stillness. Small shifts matter more than you think.
Because here’s the truth about you: you’re not a productivity machine. You’re a whole human, with dreams and struggles and an incredible ability to grow. And that’s far more powerful than the busiest inbox in the world.
Productivity can certainly help you dodge feelings, but Embracing Balance is the way to go
So, here’s where we land. Your drive, your ambition, and your ability to get things done? They’re brilliant. But you don’t have to keep using them as armour. By carving out space for your emotions, even just a sliver of your day, you’re giving yourself room to grow, to lead smarter, and to just breathe.
This isn't about overhauling your entire life overnight. Start simple. Pick one tip, like naming your emotions, setting a micro-check-in, or pausing for a guilt-free five minutes. Start there, and notice how even a small shift can ripple through your day.
Because you’re not just here to churn through tasks. You’re here to thrive, to show up as the fullest, most resilient version of yourself. And trust me, that version isn’t just capable; they’re unstoppable.
Now, here’s your nudge: what will you try today? Whether it’s a moment of stillness or a quick micro-check-in, you’ve got this. One breath, one pause, one small win at a time.
Go on, give it a go. You’re worth it.
Meg ✌️
♻️If this resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it today.
P.S - Want to Dive Deeper?
We've established that productivity can help you dodge feelings, but Embracing Balance is the way to go, so if you're keen to dig into the neuroscience, psychology and practical strategies around this, read on below!
📖Antonopoulou, H. (2024). The value of emotional intelligence: Self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and empathy as key components. Technium Education and Humanities, 8(1), 78–92. https://doi.org/10.47577/teh.v8i.9719
📖 Jung, C. G. (1921). Psychological types. Harcourt Brace. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/psychological_types
📖 Mojallal, M., Simons, R., Quevillon, R., & Hatwan, M. (2022). Associations of experiential avoidance with burnout, wellbeing, and productivity loss among police officers: The mediating role of negative and positive affect.. Journal of clinical psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23371
📖 Iglesias, M., Vallejo, R., & Fuentes, P. (2010). The relationship between experiential avoidance and burnout syndrome in critical care nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47, 30-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJNURSTU.2009.06.014
📖 Kroska, E., Calarge, C., O’Hara, M., Deumic, E., & Dindo, L. (2017). Burnout and depression in medical students: Relations with avoidance and disengagement. Journal of contextual behavioral science, 6, 404-408. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCBS.2017.08.003
📖 Chan, D., & Hui, E. (1995). Burnout and coping among Chinese secondary school teachers in Hong Kong.. The British journal of educational psychology, 65 ( Pt 1), 15-25. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.2044-8279.1995.TB01128.X
📖 Marques, H., Brites, R., Nunes, O., Hipólito, J., & Brandão, T. (2023). Attachment, emotion regulation, and burnout among university students: a mediational hypothesis. Educational Psychology, 43, 344 - 362. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2023.2212889
📖 Yu, X., Wang, Y., & Liu, F. (2022). Language Learning Motivation and Burnout Among English as a Foreign Language Undergraduates: The Moderating Role of Maladaptive Emotion Regulation Strategies. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.808118
P.P.S.
Why do I even have the nerve to write this? Good question.
I’m just someone who has spent years working with incredible executives, navigating the chaos, and figuring things out along the way. I’ve had the privilege of being the right hand to some truly inspiring leaders, learning from every challenge, misstep, and breakthrough.
I also happen to have an MBA (if that counts for anything) and I’m currently studying organisational psychology, mostly because I find people and how we work together endlessly fascinating.
But really, none of that is the point. I’m just here to share what I’ve learned, in case it helps someone else. Take what’s useful, leave the rest, and know that you’re already doing far better than you probably give yourself credit for.
Now, go be brilliant. ✨