You’re checking boxes, staying busy, and moving fast… but something still feels off.

In this episode of Unlearning Work, Erin unpacks a common trap high performers fall into: doing more—but not doing what matters. We explore how productivity theater, the urgency effect, and avoidance disguised as action are keeping you stuck in motion without momentum.

Erin breaks down the real reason burnout is so widespread (hint: it’s not laziness), the neuroscience behind why we chase small wins over deep work, and how hustle culture trains us to value busyness over purpose.

If you’ve ever ended a week feeling exhausted but strangely unfulfilled—this episode is for you.

Why our brains chase shallow tasks for quick dopamine hits

How hustle culture rewires your sense of worth and productivity

The four major costs of confusing motion with momentum

A client case study that shows how “working smarter” actually works

Four science-backed unlearning moves to help you shift from busy to purposeful

How to recognize and break the false progress loop

Zeigarnik Effect – why unfinished tasks cause tension and small wins feel satisfying

Urgency Effect – how time sensitivity hijacks our attention away from what matters

Behavioral Activation – why small steps can kickstart motivation more effectively than “thinking about it”

A course creator “working” for weeks without launching

A corporate professional avoiding high-impact visibility work

Michelle, a nonprofit leader, who transformed her calendar, her confidence, and her outcomes with one simple question: “What moves the mission?”

Three Moves That Matter – Prioritize for impact, not output

Shrink the First Step – Make big tasks feel small enough to begin

Time-Box for Depth – Protect blocks of uninterrupted focus

Schedule a “Do Not Work” Hour – Build white space for clarity and recharge

What task are you doing just to feel accomplished—but isn’t actually moving you forward?

What are you avoiding that feels meaningful but emotionally risky?

What would change if you chose depth over volume this week?

🎯 Ready to ditch the shame and build a system that fits your brain? Take the free Work Style Quiz at Work Style Quiz and discover your style today.

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