Why You Should Work Smarter and Not Harder
The success of any business relies on human resources: employees who are compensated for applying their skills and mental capacity to create value.
Understand
Understand
Understand
31 juil. 2025
6 min
The church at the center of the village
For a solo entrepreneur, it’s the same principle, but with just one resource. The brain remains the most valuable asset. Common sense suggests we should cultivate an environment where brains are in the best possible condition to produce high-quality output. This means designing routines and rituals for the “optimal use” of these resources and fully leveraging this intellectual capital.
Yet, some striking statistics reveal there’s a fundamental problem:
68% of people report they don’t have enough uninterrupted focus time during their workday.
80% of employees experienced “information overload” in 2022, up from 60% in 2020.
64% of workers say they lack the time and energy to "get work done".
These figures point to something broken—something that needs fixing. I suspect the root of the issue lies in how we perceive productivity.
In the collective mindset, productivity is often equated with being busy—constantly hustling and staying in motion.
In this paradigm, we measure success by the number of hours worked and the visible effort put in. In short, we focus on activity.
This is the essence of hustle culture: the belief that efficiency only comes from being perpetually overbooked.
But is this the best approach for maximizing long-term value, both for businesses and individuals?
Recently, I watched a talk by Timothée Parrique. He explained that when we talk about a country’s growth, we implicitly refer to the increase in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, GDP is merely “a volumetric indicator of economic agitation”—a quantitative measure of how fast an economy is moving, but it doesn’t tell us in what direction it’s heading.
It’s an incomplete metric, offering little insight into progress in terms of human development, innovation, sustainability, or well-being. In fact, in 2019, New Zealand abandoned GDP as its primary measure of success, opting instead for a dashboard of 65 indicators covering social health and economic resilience. This brings me to a parallel with productivity: just because our workflow is intense doesn’t mean it’s high in value.
We need to redefine how we measure productivity, especially in the digital age. Real productivity is about yield—creating value—not about the number of hours worked. Judging a worker’s performance by their level of “busyness,” or visible activity, is at best incomplete and at worst harmful.
This isn’t about endorsing laziness, but rather advocating for smarter work. It’s about shifting from a mindset of constant motion to one of intentional, impactful effort.
Technology as the Fuel for Agitation
We all carry a growing digital burden: the sheer volume of information, emails, notifications, and messages has far outpaced our ability to manage it effectively.
57% of employees now use at least 6 tools and apps daily. This was only 24% in 2020!
144 emails are received weekly on average by employees in France—nearly 200 for managers, and over 400 for executives.
The digital landscape amplifies mental agitation. More critically, it keeps the brain in a constant state of alertness, prioritizing availability over productivity. This results in constant interruptions—the rise of Homo Interruptus.
A typical startup day—here’s what your day might look like:
Check emails and started responding to one.
A Slack notification popped up.
Open the app and stay there for a while because you'd miss some messages.
Then, check WhatsApp to see if a prospect had replied.
Open another browser tab because you get distracted.
Finally, return to your original email.
This endless juggling and multitasking can leave you mentally exhausted by the end of the day—without making meaningful progress on what actually added value to the company or to yourself.
Being everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
©️ Pelle Cass
To handle this relentless influx of demands, our attention becomes fragmented. According to Gloria Mark’s research, the average screen attention span has dropped to 47 seconds.
As time goes on, “switching costs,” the lingering attention from unfinished tasks, pile up, creating mental overload. These digital demands lead to cognitive saturation, while also fostering dissatisfaction and a sense of unproductiveness.
On top of that, they overlook a key natural inclination: your brain is wired to seek out information—a skill that was once critical for survival. But when information is handed to you directly, as is often the case in the digital world, it falsely signals to your brain that it’s both urgent and important.
And when everything feels important, you spend your day struggling to keep your head above water—only to end up drowning.
The digital world fuels this culture of “busyness”—the constant presence and glorification of perpetual hustle. The perceived need for constant connection and availability gives rise to a phenomenon of digital presenteeism: we begin to value the visibility of activity over its actual impact. Being and appearing “underwater” becomes a badge of honor, something we wear proudly.
Yet, when viewed through the lens of true effectiveness, this isn’t always a positive thing. It’s by shedding unnecessary busyness that we create space for what truly matters. Originally designed to enhance flow and efficiency, digital tools sometimes have the opposite effect. Subtly, hyper-connectivity becomes the invisible enemy of both performance and well-being. Difficult to measure, yet undeniably pervasive. So, given this reality, how can we rethink productive work?
The church at the center of the village
For a solo entrepreneur, it’s the same principle, but with just one resource. The brain remains the most valuable asset. Common sense suggests we should cultivate an environment where brains are in the best possible condition to produce high-quality output. This means designing routines and rituals for the “optimal use” of these resources and fully leveraging this intellectual capital.
Yet, some striking statistics reveal there’s a fundamental problem:
68% of people report they don’t have enough uninterrupted focus time during their workday.
80% of employees experienced “information overload” in 2022, up from 60% in 2020.
64% of workers say they lack the time and energy to "get work done".
These figures point to something broken—something that needs fixing. I suspect the root of the issue lies in how we perceive productivity.
In the collective mindset, productivity is often equated with being busy—constantly hustling and staying in motion.
In this paradigm, we measure success by the number of hours worked and the visible effort put in. In short, we focus on activity.
This is the essence of hustle culture: the belief that efficiency only comes from being perpetually overbooked.
But is this the best approach for maximizing long-term value, both for businesses and individuals?
Recently, I watched a talk by Timothée Parrique. He explained that when we talk about a country’s growth, we implicitly refer to the increase in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, GDP is merely “a volumetric indicator of economic agitation”—a quantitative measure of how fast an economy is moving, but it doesn’t tell us in what direction it’s heading.
It’s an incomplete metric, offering little insight into progress in terms of human development, innovation, sustainability, or well-being. In fact, in 2019, New Zealand abandoned GDP as its primary measure of success, opting instead for a dashboard of 65 indicators covering social health and economic resilience. This brings me to a parallel with productivity: just because our workflow is intense doesn’t mean it’s high in value.
We need to redefine how we measure productivity, especially in the digital age. Real productivity is about yield—creating value—not about the number of hours worked. Judging a worker’s performance by their level of “busyness,” or visible activity, is at best incomplete and at worst harmful.
This isn’t about endorsing laziness, but rather advocating for smarter work. It’s about shifting from a mindset of constant motion to one of intentional, impactful effort.
Technology as the Fuel for Agitation
We all carry a growing digital burden: the sheer volume of information, emails, notifications, and messages has far outpaced our ability to manage it effectively.
57% of employees now use at least 6 tools and apps daily. This was only 24% in 2020!
144 emails are received weekly on average by employees in France—nearly 200 for managers, and over 400 for executives.
The digital landscape amplifies mental agitation. More critically, it keeps the brain in a constant state of alertness, prioritizing availability over productivity. This results in constant interruptions—the rise of Homo Interruptus.
A typical startup day—here’s what your day might look like:
Check emails and started responding to one.
A Slack notification popped up.
Open the app and stay there for a while because you'd miss some messages.
Then, check WhatsApp to see if a prospect had replied.
Open another browser tab because you get distracted.
Finally, return to your original email.
This endless juggling and multitasking can leave you mentally exhausted by the end of the day—without making meaningful progress on what actually added value to the company or to yourself.
Being everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
©️ Pelle Cass
To handle this relentless influx of demands, our attention becomes fragmented. According to Gloria Mark’s research, the average screen attention span has dropped to 47 seconds.
As time goes on, “switching costs,” the lingering attention from unfinished tasks, pile up, creating mental overload. These digital demands lead to cognitive saturation, while also fostering dissatisfaction and a sense of unproductiveness.
On top of that, they overlook a key natural inclination: your brain is wired to seek out information—a skill that was once critical for survival. But when information is handed to you directly, as is often the case in the digital world, it falsely signals to your brain that it’s both urgent and important.
And when everything feels important, you spend your day struggling to keep your head above water—only to end up drowning.
The digital world fuels this culture of “busyness”—the constant presence and glorification of perpetual hustle. The perceived need for constant connection and availability gives rise to a phenomenon of digital presenteeism: we begin to value the visibility of activity over its actual impact. Being and appearing “underwater” becomes a badge of honor, something we wear proudly.
Yet, when viewed through the lens of true effectiveness, this isn’t always a positive thing. It’s by shedding unnecessary busyness that we create space for what truly matters. Originally designed to enhance flow and efficiency, digital tools sometimes have the opposite effect. Subtly, hyper-connectivity becomes the invisible enemy of both performance and well-being. Difficult to measure, yet undeniably pervasive. So, given this reality, how can we rethink productive work?
The church at the center of the village
For a solo entrepreneur, it’s the same principle, but with just one resource. The brain remains the most valuable asset. Common sense suggests we should cultivate an environment where brains are in the best possible condition to produce high-quality output. This means designing routines and rituals for the “optimal use” of these resources and fully leveraging this intellectual capital.
Yet, some striking statistics reveal there’s a fundamental problem:
68% of people report they don’t have enough uninterrupted focus time during their workday.
80% of employees experienced “information overload” in 2022, up from 60% in 2020.
64% of workers say they lack the time and energy to "get work done".
These figures point to something broken—something that needs fixing. I suspect the root of the issue lies in how we perceive productivity.
In the collective mindset, productivity is often equated with being busy—constantly hustling and staying in motion.
In this paradigm, we measure success by the number of hours worked and the visible effort put in. In short, we focus on activity.
This is the essence of hustle culture: the belief that efficiency only comes from being perpetually overbooked.
But is this the best approach for maximizing long-term value, both for businesses and individuals?
Recently, I watched a talk by Timothée Parrique. He explained that when we talk about a country’s growth, we implicitly refer to the increase in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, GDP is merely “a volumetric indicator of economic agitation”—a quantitative measure of how fast an economy is moving, but it doesn’t tell us in what direction it’s heading.
It’s an incomplete metric, offering little insight into progress in terms of human development, innovation, sustainability, or well-being. In fact, in 2019, New Zealand abandoned GDP as its primary measure of success, opting instead for a dashboard of 65 indicators covering social health and economic resilience. This brings me to a parallel with productivity: just because our workflow is intense doesn’t mean it’s high in value.
We need to redefine how we measure productivity, especially in the digital age. Real productivity is about yield—creating value—not about the number of hours worked. Judging a worker’s performance by their level of “busyness,” or visible activity, is at best incomplete and at worst harmful.
This isn’t about endorsing laziness, but rather advocating for smarter work. It’s about shifting from a mindset of constant motion to one of intentional, impactful effort.
Technology as the Fuel for Agitation
We all carry a growing digital burden: the sheer volume of information, emails, notifications, and messages has far outpaced our ability to manage it effectively.
57% of employees now use at least 6 tools and apps daily. This was only 24% in 2020!
144 emails are received weekly on average by employees in France—nearly 200 for managers, and over 400 for executives.
The digital landscape amplifies mental agitation. More critically, it keeps the brain in a constant state of alertness, prioritizing availability over productivity. This results in constant interruptions—the rise of Homo Interruptus.
A typical startup day—here’s what your day might look like:
Check emails and started responding to one.
A Slack notification popped up.
Open the app and stay there for a while because you'd miss some messages.
Then, check WhatsApp to see if a prospect had replied.
Open another browser tab because you get distracted.
Finally, return to your original email.
This endless juggling and multitasking can leave you mentally exhausted by the end of the day—without making meaningful progress on what actually added value to the company or to yourself.
Being everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
©️ Pelle Cass
To handle this relentless influx of demands, our attention becomes fragmented. According to Gloria Mark’s research, the average screen attention span has dropped to 47 seconds.
As time goes on, “switching costs,” the lingering attention from unfinished tasks, pile up, creating mental overload. These digital demands lead to cognitive saturation, while also fostering dissatisfaction and a sense of unproductiveness.
On top of that, they overlook a key natural inclination: your brain is wired to seek out information—a skill that was once critical for survival. But when information is handed to you directly, as is often the case in the digital world, it falsely signals to your brain that it’s both urgent and important.
And when everything feels important, you spend your day struggling to keep your head above water—only to end up drowning.
The digital world fuels this culture of “busyness”—the constant presence and glorification of perpetual hustle. The perceived need for constant connection and availability gives rise to a phenomenon of digital presenteeism: we begin to value the visibility of activity over its actual impact. Being and appearing “underwater” becomes a badge of honor, something we wear proudly.
Yet, when viewed through the lens of true effectiveness, this isn’t always a positive thing. It’s by shedding unnecessary busyness that we create space for what truly matters. Originally designed to enhance flow and efficiency, digital tools sometimes have the opposite effect. Subtly, hyper-connectivity becomes the invisible enemy of both performance and well-being. Difficult to measure, yet undeniably pervasive. So, given this reality, how can we rethink productive work?
Your Phone, Your Rules.
Block apps. Limit time. Grow better habits. Endless possibilities.
Try for free
Your Phone, Your Rules.
Block apps. Limit time. Grow better habits. Endless possibilities.
Try for free
Your Phone, Your Rules.
Block apps. Limit time. Grow better habits. Endless possibilities.
Try for free
Aligning Work with Neurobiology to Get the Best Results
This cacophony of distractions—both internal and external—depletes our cognitive resources throughout the day.
We need to explore new rituals, new ways of approaching work that help us maximize individual potential. Reconciling work and the brain.
#1 - Deep Work Without Distraction
Cal Newport, in Deep Work, highlights this equation:
Work Value = (Time Spent) × (Intensity of Focus)
Would you rather work:
2 intense, focused hours on a single task?
Or 8 hours constantly distracted, juggling multiple tasks?
To me, the answer is obvious. The first approach is all about carving out uninterrupted focus time every single day. No distractions, no notifications, no video calls, no constant demands.
But this only works if both sides commit to it:
From the company’s side: Respect employees’ focus time—no unnecessary interruptions, no last-minute “urgent” tasks, no meeting overload.
From the individual’s side: Eliminate distractions—no phone nearby, no 30 open tabs. Communicate clearly about the need for concentration.
Deep work brings us back to the essence of work. It combines a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and satisfaction.
As I mentioned in a previous edition, the ability to work deeply is becoming increasingly rare in the digital age, which makes it all the more valuable. It’s an incredible competitive advantage. Deep work helps you take a step back and think more clearly:
“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” —Albert Einstein
Let’s strive to become Homo Focus, not Homo Interruptus.
#2 - The Break
When I read this quote from Arianna Huffington, it struck a chord:
“Why did we come to believe that being constantly active makes us more productive, and that we need to burn out to succeed?
This mindset dates back to the First Industrial Revolution, when we began idolizing machines. The goal of machines is to minimize downtime.
But for the human operating system, downtime isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature.
Elite athletes understand that recovery is part of peak performance. Downtime is a productivity multiplier.”
We need to align work with our energy levels, which naturally follow cyclical patterns. By working in harmony with our neurobiology, we can unlock the full potential of human resources. Humans function in sprints, and rest is an inherent part of real productivity.
Fun fact: When Arianna Huffington was running The Huffington Post, she invested in MetroNaps to encourage workplace naps.
MetroNaps - Home of the Original EnergyPod
Personally, I’ve developed the habit of taking a short walk whenever I feel my focus slipping. Breaks are productive. They’re a necessary reset for the brain. Taking a break is like investing time to save time. According to a 2023 Slack study of 10,000 employees, breaks have several benefits: Workers who regularly take breaks show 13% higher productivity.
Similarly, knowing how and when to disconnect in the evenings and on weekends leads to greater fulfillment and long-term productivity. When we’re always connected and available, we leave little room for creativity, mental wandering, and reflection—all of which are essential to performance.
#3 - A Shift in Perspective
We need to reward results, not busyness. It’s a more meritocratic approach. When we reward effort, we simply encourage people to put in more effort—often making sure it’s visible to others. When we reward results, we incentivize deep, meaningful, and focused work.
By moving in this direction, we find the sweet spot: maximizing productivity without sacrificing well-being. Failing to rethink digital culture represents a huge missed opportunity. It’s about reducing unproductive busyness and enabling shorter, more impactful work cycles.
🍀 Best Tool To Get in 2025
The real battle today is for your attention. We’ve talked about this in another article, but nowadays, many companies have a business model — their way of making money — built entirely around capturing your attention. The more time you spend on their platforms, the more ads you see, and the more money they make.
It doesn’t matter if you have a heavy workload, a family life, or hobbies you enjoy. They’ll try to grab as much of your time and focus as possible. Today, their mission has shifted: they’re not here to serve you; they’re here to generate profits, satisfy investors, and maintain a positive stock market image.
Once you realize this, you start to think: maybe it’s time to protect this precious resource and dedicate it to things that truly matter—things that help you become the best version of yourself. That’s why the app everyone should have on their phone is Jomo, available for free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
With Jomo, you can set up blocking rules. Simply put, it lets you block access to your most distracting apps based on your preferences: for a specific time interval, just for a few hours, after you’ve already spent X minutes on them, or even only after you’ve walked, run, or swum!
One of the most effective rules is the "Conscious Use" session. By default, apps are blocked. To use them temporarily, you’ll need to ask Jomo for a “pause.” You’ll specify why you need access and for how long. It’s a great way to manage your time effectively by asking yourself the right questions: do I really need to use Instagram, or am I just procrastinating and about to waste my time?
Well this is it! I’ll leave you with this quote from Edgar Morin:
“By constantly sacrificing the essential for the urgent, we end up forgetting the urgency of the essential.”
Aligning Work with Neurobiology to Get the Best Results
This cacophony of distractions—both internal and external—depletes our cognitive resources throughout the day.
We need to explore new rituals, new ways of approaching work that help us maximize individual potential. Reconciling work and the brain.
#1 - Deep Work Without Distraction
Cal Newport, in Deep Work, highlights this equation:
Work Value = (Time Spent) × (Intensity of Focus)
Would you rather work:
2 intense, focused hours on a single task?
Or 8 hours constantly distracted, juggling multiple tasks?
To me, the answer is obvious. The first approach is all about carving out uninterrupted focus time every single day. No distractions, no notifications, no video calls, no constant demands.
But this only works if both sides commit to it:
From the company’s side: Respect employees’ focus time—no unnecessary interruptions, no last-minute “urgent” tasks, no meeting overload.
From the individual’s side: Eliminate distractions—no phone nearby, no 30 open tabs. Communicate clearly about the need for concentration.
Deep work brings us back to the essence of work. It combines a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and satisfaction.
As I mentioned in a previous edition, the ability to work deeply is becoming increasingly rare in the digital age, which makes it all the more valuable. It’s an incredible competitive advantage. Deep work helps you take a step back and think more clearly:
“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” —Albert Einstein
Let’s strive to become Homo Focus, not Homo Interruptus.
#2 - The Break
When I read this quote from Arianna Huffington, it struck a chord:
“Why did we come to believe that being constantly active makes us more productive, and that we need to burn out to succeed?
This mindset dates back to the First Industrial Revolution, when we began idolizing machines. The goal of machines is to minimize downtime.
But for the human operating system, downtime isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature.
Elite athletes understand that recovery is part of peak performance. Downtime is a productivity multiplier.”
We need to align work with our energy levels, which naturally follow cyclical patterns. By working in harmony with our neurobiology, we can unlock the full potential of human resources. Humans function in sprints, and rest is an inherent part of real productivity.
Fun fact: When Arianna Huffington was running The Huffington Post, she invested in MetroNaps to encourage workplace naps.
MetroNaps - Home of the Original EnergyPod
Personally, I’ve developed the habit of taking a short walk whenever I feel my focus slipping. Breaks are productive. They’re a necessary reset for the brain. Taking a break is like investing time to save time. According to a 2023 Slack study of 10,000 employees, breaks have several benefits: Workers who regularly take breaks show 13% higher productivity.
Similarly, knowing how and when to disconnect in the evenings and on weekends leads to greater fulfillment and long-term productivity. When we’re always connected and available, we leave little room for creativity, mental wandering, and reflection—all of which are essential to performance.
#3 - A Shift in Perspective
We need to reward results, not busyness. It’s a more meritocratic approach. When we reward effort, we simply encourage people to put in more effort—often making sure it’s visible to others. When we reward results, we incentivize deep, meaningful, and focused work.
By moving in this direction, we find the sweet spot: maximizing productivity without sacrificing well-being. Failing to rethink digital culture represents a huge missed opportunity. It’s about reducing unproductive busyness and enabling shorter, more impactful work cycles.
🍀 Best Tool To Get in 2025
The real battle today is for your attention. We’ve talked about this in another article, but nowadays, many companies have a business model — their way of making money — built entirely around capturing your attention. The more time you spend on their platforms, the more ads you see, and the more money they make.
It doesn’t matter if you have a heavy workload, a family life, or hobbies you enjoy. They’ll try to grab as much of your time and focus as possible. Today, their mission has shifted: they’re not here to serve you; they’re here to generate profits, satisfy investors, and maintain a positive stock market image.
Once you realize this, you start to think: maybe it’s time to protect this precious resource and dedicate it to things that truly matter—things that help you become the best version of yourself. That’s why the app everyone should have on their phone is Jomo, available for free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
With Jomo, you can set up blocking rules. Simply put, it lets you block access to your most distracting apps based on your preferences: for a specific time interval, just for a few hours, after you’ve already spent X minutes on them, or even only after you’ve walked, run, or swum!
One of the most effective rules is the "Conscious Use" session. By default, apps are blocked. To use them temporarily, you’ll need to ask Jomo for a “pause.” You’ll specify why you need access and for how long. It’s a great way to manage your time effectively by asking yourself the right questions: do I really need to use Instagram, or am I just procrastinating and about to waste my time?
Well this is it! I’ll leave you with this quote from Edgar Morin:
“By constantly sacrificing the essential for the urgent, we end up forgetting the urgency of the essential.”
Aligning Work with Neurobiology to Get the Best Results
This cacophony of distractions—both internal and external—depletes our cognitive resources throughout the day.
We need to explore new rituals, new ways of approaching work that help us maximize individual potential. Reconciling work and the brain.
#1 - Deep Work Without Distraction
Cal Newport, in Deep Work, highlights this equation:
Work Value = (Time Spent) × (Intensity of Focus)
Would you rather work:
2 intense, focused hours on a single task?
Or 8 hours constantly distracted, juggling multiple tasks?
To me, the answer is obvious. The first approach is all about carving out uninterrupted focus time every single day. No distractions, no notifications, no video calls, no constant demands.
But this only works if both sides commit to it:
From the company’s side: Respect employees’ focus time—no unnecessary interruptions, no last-minute “urgent” tasks, no meeting overload.
From the individual’s side: Eliminate distractions—no phone nearby, no 30 open tabs. Communicate clearly about the need for concentration.
Deep work brings us back to the essence of work. It combines a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and satisfaction.
As I mentioned in a previous edition, the ability to work deeply is becoming increasingly rare in the digital age, which makes it all the more valuable. It’s an incredible competitive advantage. Deep work helps you take a step back and think more clearly:
“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” —Albert Einstein
Let’s strive to become Homo Focus, not Homo Interruptus.
#2 - The Break
When I read this quote from Arianna Huffington, it struck a chord:
“Why did we come to believe that being constantly active makes us more productive, and that we need to burn out to succeed?
This mindset dates back to the First Industrial Revolution, when we began idolizing machines. The goal of machines is to minimize downtime.
But for the human operating system, downtime isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature.
Elite athletes understand that recovery is part of peak performance. Downtime is a productivity multiplier.”
We need to align work with our energy levels, which naturally follow cyclical patterns. By working in harmony with our neurobiology, we can unlock the full potential of human resources. Humans function in sprints, and rest is an inherent part of real productivity.
Fun fact: When Arianna Huffington was running The Huffington Post, she invested in MetroNaps to encourage workplace naps.
MetroNaps - Home of the Original EnergyPod
Personally, I’ve developed the habit of taking a short walk whenever I feel my focus slipping. Breaks are productive. They’re a necessary reset for the brain. Taking a break is like investing time to save time. According to a 2023 Slack study of 10,000 employees, breaks have several benefits: Workers who regularly take breaks show 13% higher productivity.
Similarly, knowing how and when to disconnect in the evenings and on weekends leads to greater fulfillment and long-term productivity. When we’re always connected and available, we leave little room for creativity, mental wandering, and reflection—all of which are essential to performance.
#3 - A Shift in Perspective
We need to reward results, not busyness. It’s a more meritocratic approach. When we reward effort, we simply encourage people to put in more effort—often making sure it’s visible to others. When we reward results, we incentivize deep, meaningful, and focused work.
By moving in this direction, we find the sweet spot: maximizing productivity without sacrificing well-being. Failing to rethink digital culture represents a huge missed opportunity. It’s about reducing unproductive busyness and enabling shorter, more impactful work cycles.
🍀 Best Tool To Get in 2025
The real battle today is for your attention. We’ve talked about this in another article, but nowadays, many companies have a business model — their way of making money — built entirely around capturing your attention. The more time you spend on their platforms, the more ads you see, and the more money they make.
It doesn’t matter if you have a heavy workload, a family life, or hobbies you enjoy. They’ll try to grab as much of your time and focus as possible. Today, their mission has shifted: they’re not here to serve you; they’re here to generate profits, satisfy investors, and maintain a positive stock market image.
Once you realize this, you start to think: maybe it’s time to protect this precious resource and dedicate it to things that truly matter—things that help you become the best version of yourself. That’s why the app everyone should have on their phone is Jomo, available for free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
With Jomo, you can set up blocking rules. Simply put, it lets you block access to your most distracting apps based on your preferences: for a specific time interval, just for a few hours, after you’ve already spent X minutes on them, or even only after you’ve walked, run, or swum!
One of the most effective rules is the "Conscious Use" session. By default, apps are blocked. To use them temporarily, you’ll need to ask Jomo for a “pause.” You’ll specify why you need access and for how long. It’s a great way to manage your time effectively by asking yourself the right questions: do I really need to use Instagram, or am I just procrastinating and about to waste my time?
Well this is it! I’ll leave you with this quote from Edgar Morin:
“By constantly sacrificing the essential for the urgent, we end up forgetting the urgency of the essential.”
Credits
This article is a revised version of Edition #24 of the Screenbreak newsletter created by Julien Rousset. With his permission, we're sharing this high-quality content with you today! So many thanks to Julien. 😌
Photographies by Unsplash, Dall-e, ScreenBreak and the Internet.
[1] Newport - Deep Work
[2] Mark - Attention Span
[3] Slack - The surprising connection between after-hours work and decreased productivity, Slack, 2023.
[4] Waytz - Beware a Culture of Busyness, Harvard Business Review, 2023.
[5] Daggett - Arianna Huffington Says Technology Is Ushering in a More Human Work Culture, Future of Business And Tech.
[6] Newport - The Neuroscience of Busyness, 2021.
[7] Digital Burnout at Work, Ezra.
[8] Subramanian - Rethinking work: Your biggest asset is your human capital, Future Forum, 2021.
[9] Huffington - Arianna Huffington: Finding Focus Through Techno-overload, Thrive Global, 2021.
[10] Non, faire une pause au travail, ce n'est pas procrastiner, Les Echos, 2023.
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The Joy Of Missing Out
© Fabriqué en Europe. Tous droits réservés à Jomo SAS, 2025
The Joy Of Missing Out
© Fabriqué en Europe. Tous droits réservés à Jomo SAS, 2025
The Joy Of Missing Out
© Fabriqué en Europe. Tous droits réservés à Jomo SAS, 2025