The definition of 'optimisation' is to most effectively use resources available to you often resulting in a greater net gain. In modern society, we see this practise now in our working lives as companies introduce KPI monitoring software to ensure maximum productivity within the office. Exposure to this hyper-productive environment results in a mindset whereby lifestyle both inside and outside of the office is focused on acceleration and optimisation.
Before the digital revolution, the average work-life split was relatively balanced with career related activity existing solely in the workplace. The introduction of smart devices has enabled work based activities to migrate into domestic settings, beginning the transition in mindset of maximising your time now outside of the office. Society is experiencing more pressure to utilise time and resources across all settings resulting in individuals becoming exhausted to the point of failure, this is 'burnout' - a condition becoming more common in younger generations.
These conditions gradually build towards a system that constantly runs at maximum capacity, with little room for error. Arguably this encourages development, however with limited capacity reserved for ad-hoc tasks such as emergencies or a crisis, the system can face overload and failure when facing these eventualities. When translating this analogy to the human experience, it is quite simply put as a breakdown (both physical and psychological).
Digital technology has made individuals more accessible than ever, whether it be for professional or social purposes. The expectation of availability causes anxiety within those who enter into the cycle and makes the prospect of leaving the system daunting. As a topic of much debate, solutions to this problematic lifestyle have been explored from implementing a digital detox to enforcing a more rigid work-life balance.
To discover more about burnout and topics surrounding this conversation, listen to the podcast below to understand the perspective of hyper-productivity from a younger audience:
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