The pursuit of productivity has never been more intense, but is it a sign of burnout or a clever way to cope with the demands of modern life?

In an era where every moment seems to count, people are finding creative ways to streamline their routines and maximize their time. From laying out clothes the night before to wearing elasticated laces, the concept of “microefficiencies” has become a staple of modern life. But what drives this obsession with productivity, and is it a sign of burnout or a clever way to cope with the demands of modern life?

For Veronica Pullen, a 54-year-old copywriter and online trainer, microefficiencies are a way of life. She boils two cups of tea at once, one milkier than the other, so she can enjoy the perfect temperature every time. This may seem like a trivial matter, but for Pullen, it’s a crucial part of her daily routine. By making two cups of tea, she saves five minutes every time, which may not seem like a lot, but adds up to 20 minutes over 24 hours. Over two years, that’s equivalent to 10 full days of saved time.

Pullen’s husband, on the other hand, doesn’t share her enthusiasm for microefficiencies. He prefers to cook different meals for himself, and doesn’t see the point in laying out clothes or wearing elasticated laces. But for Pullen, these tiny habits have become a way of life. “Having more simplicity with these habits in my day-to-day life gives me more capacity and energy to do the things I want to do,” she says. “I prefer not having to keep making micro choices.”

But Pullen’s not alone in her pursuit of productivity. Jennifer Babey, a 36-year-old business owner, has replaced her regular shoelaces with elasticated ones, saving herself a minute every time she puts on her shoes. She’s also streamlined her breakfast routine by laying out her cutlery and crockery, so she can just grab what she needs and go. “It helps me to make a swift exit out of the house,” she says.

Babey’s not the only one who’s found creative ways to save time. Jude Smith, a 45-year-old data protection specialist, owns 11 spare pairs of glasses, which she stashes in various places around the house, so she never has to think about where her specs are. Sarah Ingram, a 44-year-old freelance writer, keeps a notebook next to her during the workday and writes down the names of anyone who WhatsApps her, so she can reply to them in one go in the evening.

But while these tiny habits may seem like a clever way to cope with the demands of modern life, experts say they can also be a sign of burnout. Dr Ritika Suk Birah, a consultant counselling psychologist, says that our fascination with microefficiencies is often a sign of burnout creeping in. “These behaviours are less about choice and more about survival,” she says. “It can be driven by the belief that slowing down is unsafe or unproductive.”

Susie Masterson, a Manchester-based psychotherapist, agrees. “I’ve seen the pursuit of microefficiencies trigger OCD tendencies in clients as well as anxiety and depression,” she says. “Feelings of not being good enough are common.”

So what can be done? Gabrielle Treanor, author of The 1% Wellness Experiment, says it’s good to ask yourself why you’re employing these microefficiencies. “Is it so you can squeeze more time out of your day to get more done, be more productive? Or is it so you can have more time for fun, for relaxing, connecting with loved ones, taking care of your wellbeing?” she asks.

For Pullen, the answer is clear. She’s not just trying to be more productive; she’s trying to find a sense of calm and simplicity in a chaotic world. And while her microefficiencies may seem like a trivial matter to some, they’re a crucial part of her daily routine. As she says, “Having more simplicity with these habits in my day-to-day life gives me more capacity and energy to do the things I want to do.”