What happens when being productive starts making you feel hollow inside?
In this solo chatting episode, I share my recent experience of getting stuck in what cognitive scientist Yousaf Aslam calls "output mode" - when your brain becomes trapped in constant productivity gear, shutting down the networks that support self-awareness, introspection, and creativity.
After receiving an email that ‘hit me straight between the eyes, I recognised that despite being busy and productive, I felt numb, disoriented, and ironically, had stopped doing the very practice I teach: journalling.
Episode Highlights
"The goal isn't to stop being productive - it's to create space for the integration and processing that makes productivity meaningful rather than numbing."
I share prompts around how to spot if you’re in output modeand ways to shift your mindset and behaviour to rekindle self-awareness, creativity and reflection.
Also, news about my next upcoming conversation with John Stephenson discussing his debut book, "The Making of a Hunter: A Service User's Guide to Transition from the Armed Forces", out on 25 October 2025.
Free Resources
Podcast Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection
01:24 Understanding Output Mode
05:30 Recognising the Signs of Output Mode
07:20 Reflective Practices to Combat Output Mode
08:16 The Importance of Journalling
09:03 Creating New Patterns Through Awareness
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A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.
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