The Myth of Constant Productivity

We live inside an exhausting mythology: that the most successful among us are always in the process of doing, creating, producing. Certainly, this mindset thrives in dissertation culture in most academic programs. “You’re so lucky to be here in this Ph.D. program,” we’re told. “Others would give anything for this spot.”

The result is that we tend to internalize that gratitude and feel that constant productivity and progress is our obligation. Anything less almost feels suspect.

Understanding The Time Bind

Sociologist Arlie Hochschild called this the “time bind”: when the never-ending demands of work seep into personal time and we stop being able to tell where one ends and the other begins.

This blurring of time boundaries leaves us feeling like we always have to be “on” even during time that’s meant for rest, making true downtime feel guilt-inducing and elusive.

In the academic space, that blur is often rewarded. We praise the all-nighter, the advisor who responds at midnight, the student who just never stops working.

But somewhere along the way, we forget that rest is not absence. It’s necessary repair.

Yet, guilt persists, even when we secretly know better. There’s also the fear of falling behind, as if our colleagues and peers are secretly writing in their sleep.

Understanding the Presence Bleed

Melissa Gregg’s work on the “presence bleed” of professional life details this well—how “knowledge workers” feel a need to always appear busy, even in downtime.

Consider it a form of emotional performance that becomes internalized: if I’m not producing, am I still enough? That’s a big existential question that can keep us driving too hard, doing too much.

Here’s what I know firsthand, both as a dissertation coach and a former overextended academic: your ideas–yes, your mind–need to breathe. White space isn’t wasted space.

Understanding Strategic Loafing

In fact, research on creative incubation shows that insight is more likely to emerge after periods of rest or distraction. One of my dissertation students calls it “strategic loafing” which is dissertation advice I fully support.

So if you’re reading this from a beach, a sofa or a cafe—stay there. Let the silence stretch. Let your mind wander. Because that’s where deeper understanding and fuller processing starts. Not in the constant pushing but in the pause we deserve to take. Try to balance your efforts with some well deserved down-time. That might happen at the end of the workday or during the weekend.

This month, I’m encouraging my dissertation students to experiment with true, pure rest. Not “writing in prettier surroundings” but actually fully and completely stepping away for a reasonable amount of time.

Read something for joy.

Ignore your inbox for a day.

Take a nap.

Travel back in time this weekend and watch a black-and-white movie.

It is not indulgence. It’s fuel. The dissertation work will still be there. But you’ll return to it refreshed and with a new perspective.