2025’s Biggest Productivity Trap: Fake Work That Feels Real
I used to end the day exhausted… and confused. I’d been “working” for 8 hours, yet somehow, my real to-do list was untouched.
That’s when I discovered the sneakiest time-suck of modern work life: Fake productivity. Or what I now call “performative busyness.”
What Is Fake Work?
It’s the kind of work that feels productive but actually gets you nowhere. Think:
Replying to Slack threads like your life depends on it
Organizing folders for the 15th time
Sitting in endless Zoom calls with no decisions made
Making overly detailed to-do lists (but never starting them)
Spending hours customizing AI prompts… and not executing
It’s work that looks impressive, but doesn’t move the needle.
Why We Fall for It
In 2025, with AI tools and remote jobs everywhere, it’s easy to confuse motion for progress. We stay busy to avoid real decisions. Or because constant digital noise makes it hard to focus long enough to do what matters.
For me, fake work was a way to avoid the uncomfortable stuff: launching my digital product, writing meaningful content, asking for feedback. It felt safer to just... tidy up my Notion workspace again.
What I Changed
I made a “Real Work List”, just 3 items per day that actually matter to my goals. Before starting anything, I’d ask: “Does this get me closer to where I want to be, or is this just noise?”
I also gave myself permission to not respond instantly to everything. Because speed ≠ productivity. Intentionality does.
The Takeaway
Real productivity isn’t about being busy. It’s about doing less, but doing the right things. In a world that rewards looking productive, choosing real work is a quiet rebellion.