Take it easy, not everyone's Maldini

Much pressure and lotsa flak are suddenly in the air about toxic workplaces that aren't just meth labs. Overworking, apparently, is the new silent menace - just a year after underworking was supposedly the bogeyman. The fault may not lie only in workplaces, but also in the mindset of individuals for whom FOMO is a real malaise. This isn't the first gen that has internalised the pressure of staying ahead of others, or even in line, in the workplace. It's unlikely to be the last. Kids are hardwired by guardians from the stage of entrance exams into kindergartens that self-worth and 'taking it easy' is for losers. Yes, to be, say, a Paolo Maldini, arguably football's finest defender ever, lakhs of hours must be put in - apart from having innate talent, that is. But not everyone has that talent, or even wishes to put in that much work. Which is absolutely fine. Not everyone needs to be a proverbial Maldini. But problems can arise when one mixes the two up and tries to force the issue.

There are people comfortable with doing optimum work. And there are people who strive to overperform. The system, for obvious reasons, celebrates the latter. But, hey, not everyone needs to fall for that internal memo. Not to sound too corny, work as best as you can and care less about what the world thinks of your productivity quotient. You'll perform better.