Am I the Problem?
How We (un)Knowingly Keep the Grind Alive
The Anti-Hero to "Unseen Strength": A Double Feature
This post is part of a special double feature, exploring two sides of the same coin. In the previous post, we focused on the hero—Unseen Strength—the power we build through community, connection, and purpose.
Now, meet the anti-hero. This post digs into the shadow side of productivity, urgency, and the masks we wear at work that drain our energy and weaken our true strength. It’s a candid look at how we perpetuate the Monday blues, keep ourselves stuck in a relentless grind, and contribute to a culture that values motion over meaning.
Let’s dive into the anti-hero within—acknowledging it so we can reclaim our power and shift towards a work culture that truly uplifts us all.
Who’s to Blame??
We’ve all seen that meme of the three Spider-Men pointing at each other—each one blaming the other, each one part of the same system, unable to see their own role in the chaos.
The start of the week often feel the same way: a collective dread where everyone’s pointing fingers, searching for the culprit behind the blues, the pressure, the feeling of falling behind.
But what if the “villain” we’re searching for isn’t out there somewhere—it’s in the mask we put on every day we clock in? The one that says, “I’m fine, let’s keep going, productivity above all.”
The truth is, we’re all complicit in this cycle.
The endless feeling of catching up, the packed schedules with meetings that lead nowhere, the exhaustion from chasing the illusion of productivity—it’s all part of a shadow side we’re keeping alive.
It’s time to ask: what’s really fueling this grind?
The Mask of Urgency
This shadow side of work—the push to do more, faster, to wear our productivity like a badge—has us wearing masks we rarely take off. We show up with urgency, acting as if the speed and volume of our output define us. We’re so caught up in doing that we lose sight of being. And in that rush, we weaken our unseen strength, our ability to connect, support, and create work that truly matters.
For years, I found myself feeling like I had to “earn” my rest. Even on Sundays, I felt this pressure to prepare myself for the grind. I wore my productivity mask, convincing myself that if I pushed just a little harder, I’d finally feel worthy. And as much as I hated this cycle, I kept perpetuating it, showing up on Monday with the same face, fueling the very system I resented.
We assume this pressure just “exists”—that it’s inevitable. But it’s sustained by every time we expect others to work at our pace, by every task we push without considering its real impact, by every demand for instant results. Each of us wears a mask that keeps the cycle going, whether we realize it or not.
Recognizing Our Part in the Cycle
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: we’re all players in this game. Every time we treat people as tools to get things done, we reinforce a system that leaves us feeling stuck. Every time we rush someone, we add to the weight they carry. Every time we ignore boundaries in the name of “getting things done,” we contribute to a structure that traps us all in this scarcity mindset.
Our actions have a ripple effect. When we prioritize speed over humanity, we turn work into a grind rather than a journey with purpose. It’s not just “the system” holding us back—it’s us, hiding behind the mask of urgency and productivity.
Breaking the Cycle: Choosing Intention Over Urgency
If we want to free ourselves, it’s time to act differently. We need to remove the mask, take a hard look at why we’re rushing, and consider the true impact of our demands. What if we allowed room for intentionality, for meaningful conversations about workload, and for genuine rest? What if, instead of expecting others to match our urgency, we set a pace that allows everyone to breathe, grow, and find purpose?
Imagine a work culture where Mondays aren’t about blame or dread but about connection and shared goals. A place where our actions uplift everyone, where we value quality over speed, and where lasting impact takes priority over quick wins.
Reclaiming Purpose and Perspective
Let’s imagine a workplace where we don’t just “survive Mondays” but find genuine purpose. A place where we understand the weight our actions carry for others and choose to make a positive impact. A culture that values people over tasks, meaningful work over constant hustle, and connection over isolation.
The truth is, this shadow side of productivity only holds power because we keep feeding it. We have the power to stop perpetuating a system that drains us. This isn’t about getting through another Monday; it’s about building something meaningful that benefits everyone involved.
So let’s stop pointing fingers at Mondays. Let’s talk about the real reasons behind our blues. Let’s take off the mask and be honest about the roles we play in creating the very conditions we resent.
Let’s make it an intention, each workday, to shift:
From urgency to purpose.
From speed to depth
From isolation to a shared vision of work and how we operate within them
And if that Spider-Man meme comes to mind again, remember: it’s time to stop pointing fingers, take the mask off, and look at how we can all be part of the solution.
The real hero here isn’t found behind a mask; it’s in the unseen strength we build when we start showing up as our true selves—for each other and for a better way forward
‘til next time,
Manny with the Moves