There is a pervasive cult that is sweeping Western society, in fact it has been doing so for a very long time. I see evidence of it everwhere. It is in the news media, many books are written about it, I see it discussed on most social media platforms (especially LinkedIn), and I see so many people promoting their version of The Cult. Yes, I’m talking about the cult of productivity.

I get it that we all want to be “better”, more productive, the best version of ourselves etc but there are limits. You will plateua. There are only so many percentage points you can improve by. (I used to work with someone who had the following message on all their profiles: Getting better 1% a day. So at day 100, you’re perfect? You’ve got everything sorted productivity-wise at day 100? I think not). But the mindset of this cult is deeply engrained in so many people. Again, I’m not saying people shouldn’t improve, they should, but too many people are confusing being busy with being effective. Too many people get obsessed with system and tools, rather than looking at what will actually make them more effective or productive.

I was reading Daily Rituals by Mason Currey, which documents the daily rituals of very famous people. Some things were very evident:

1. The most effective people understand when they work the best, and build their routine around that peak time.
2. There is a lack of any, and I mean any, IT-related tech. No Notion, Slack, Monday.com etc etc etc. (I’ve tried them all. I’ve written about them and recommended some of them, but in the end, you waste more time on the actual app than doing what you want to do. What makes me most productive is a paper-based diary and a to-do list for each day, prioritised, of course)
3. Coffee features heavily.

It’s not only that:

1. It Equates Busyness with Worth

• Many people measure their value by how much they accomplish, leading to burnout and self-worth tied to output rather than well-being.

2. It Ignores Diminishing Returns

• After a certain point, squeezing out more “productivity” leads to exhaustion, mistakes, and lower-quality work—yet the cult pushes for endless growth.

3. It Undermines Creativity & Deep Work

• True innovation and problem-solving require unstructured time, yet productivity culture prioritizes speed over depth, killing creative thinking.

4. It Encourages Toxic Hustle Culture

• The glorification of overwork (e.g., “rise and grind”) normalizes burnout, sleep deprivation, and poor mental health as badges of honor.

5. It Turns Rest into a Guilty Pleasure

• Rest is framed as “wasted time” rather than a biological necessity, making people feel guilty for taking breaks.

6. It’s Often Just Performative

• Many productivity hacks (endless to-do lists, time-tracking apps) create the illusion of efficiency without meaningful results.

7. It Prioritizes Output Over Purpose

• Doing more doesn’t always mean doing what matters. People optimize tasks without asking, “Should this even be done?”

8. It Disregards Human Variability

• Not everyone thrives on rigid schedules or 5 AM routines, but productivity culture acts like one-size-fits-all solutions work for everyone.

9. It Feeds Consumerism (Buying the “Right” Tools)

• The productivity industry profits by selling apps, planners, and courses—implying you’re just one purchase away from peak efficiency.

10. It Robs Life of Joy & Spontaneity

• When every minute is scheduled for “maximum efficiency,” there’s no room for serendipity, play, or simply being present.

Look, let yourself off the hook once in a while, you’re doing fine. Maybe invest in a diary and get a to-do list going. Step away from Notion. Stop jumping onto the lastest to-do app. And finally, say goodbye to The Cult. You’ll thank me later.