The Productivity Paradox: Why Working Less (and Laughing More) Gets More Done

Are You Working Too Hard?

Welcome to Twisted Truth with Corey Wesley! It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood—are you out there having fun, or are you stuck in work, work, work, work, work mode? Let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind: the idea that if you obsess over work, stress over every email, and grind nonstop, you’re actually doing less work—not more.

I had a conversation today with a friend who is obsessed with his job. And I love him, but damn! His whole life is about deadlines, emails, meetings, and running around like he’s putting out fires 24/7. He thinks that staying locked in, glued to his screen, and never taking a break means he’s a top performer. But let’s be real—what he’s actually doing is burning himself out.

The Myth of Hustle Culture

People love to brag about being "always on," but let me ask you this: How are you supposed to do your best work if you’re mentally fried? If you’re running on fumes, jumping from one meeting to the next, stressing about tomorrow’s emails before today is even done? You're not doing yourself, your team, or your job any favors.

Think about it—when you're so tunnel-visioned on work that you forget to eat, forget to breathe, and ignore the world around you, you're not at your best. I once met a woman at a nursing home who worked doubles all the time. She was an incredible caregiver, but she was skipping meals and exhausting herself. And I had to ask: How can you take care of others if you’re not taking care of yourself? The same logic applies to any job. If you're not prioritizing yourself, you're not doing your best work.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Let’s be clear: I’m not saying slack off. You need to know your job, do it well, and meet your responsibilities. But you don’t have to be chained to your desk to be productive.

Big companies like Google figured this out a long time ago. That’s why they have relaxation rooms, game spaces, and nap pods. They know that stressed-out employees make more mistakes, lose focus, and burn out faster. Even studies back this up—power naps, short breaks, and moments of laughter throughout the day actually improve efficiency.

So, if you see a coworker standing at someone’s cubicle chit-chatting, don’t assume they’re slacking off. Maybe they’re resetting their brain, taking a much-needed break before diving back into work. Now, I’m not saying spend 30 minutes gossiping about who’s dating who in the office (because let’s be real—those folks who gossip at work? They’re gossiping about you too). But taking a few minutes to breathe, reset, and connect with others makes a difference.

The Power of a Breather

You ever notice how smokers at work always find time to take their cigarette breaks? Whether their boss likes it or not, they step outside, get fresh air, and take a moment for themselves. Now, I don’t smoke, but I used to tell people, “I’m going for a cigarette break” and head outside to grab a snack, take a walk, or call a friend. Those little moments of relief made the workday fly by.

And let’s talk about how stress leads to more mistakes. I used to be a corporate trainer in finance, and one day, I made a huge mistake because I was too stressed. Instead of working in a test environment, I accidentally transferred real money. That mistake cost me big time. If I had just slowed down, taken a breath, and paid closer attention, it never would have happened.

Embrace the Balance

The truth is, companies don’t care if you burn yourself out. If something happens to you today, they’ll replace you tomorrow. That’s why you have to protect your peace.

Stay connected to your friends. Take a breather after back-to-back meetings. Check your phone—briefly!—to make sure your family is okay. If you’re holding in a bathroom break because you’re “too busy,” that’s a problem. If your job makes you so anxious that you feel suffocated walking through the door, you’re in the wrong job.

At the end of the day, life is more than just work. Yes, we have bills to pay, but we also have people who love us, lives to enjoy, and moments that matter. If you can work smart, breathe through the stress, and find joy in the process, you’ll be way more productive than if you let work consume you.

So go ahead—take a deep breath, take a break, and remember: You do better work when you’re not breaking yourself in the process.

And as always, stay blessed, trust yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself.

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