Member-only story
Don’t tie your productivity to your ego
A notification from your boss just popped up on your screen. She’s finally replying to the draft of a project you poured your heart and soul into.
Heart thumping, you leave the task at hand and eagerly open the email. To your dismay, she’s made all sorts of edits and comments, and suggested that you try a new angle.
Now, do you plunge back into your afternoon with inspiration and vigor, or do you dismally distract yourself with social media and admin until the end of the day, when you go home, crack a beer, and binge on Netflix?
Most likely, you fall into the second camp, and it’s seriously limiting your potential.
The fatal flaw of seeking validation for your work
Checking everything off a to-do list. Receiving praise from a boss. A content post going viral. All of these things feel good — really good.
But they’re also addictive. In fact, studies show our brains light up the exact same way upon receiving praise as upon receiving money.
If you don’t watch yourself, this addictive cycle can end up undermining the long term quality (and quantity) of work you…
