Hi Reader,

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Welcome to Rev Up - one idea delivered every Sunday to supercharge your week ahead.

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There's been a lot of talk in recent years about the need to make work more human - to cast aside the unfeeling throws of the industrial age, to keep our humanity as we move to AI automation, to bring our whole selves to work, to recognise and feel the emotions involved in what we're doing.

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The problem that we often face in making work more human is not just about how to make work less robotic. It's also about avoiding the temptation to try to be Superman or Wonder Woman.

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Picture this. You're in a meeting and it becomes clear that the big emergency or problem that needs fixing is going to take a whole heap of work. Somebody is going to need to jump in and grapple with this. And as this dawns on everyone, you realise that five pairs of eyes are now shifted and pointed in your direction.

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"But will Reader come to the rescue?"

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It's so tempting in that moment, to buy into the idea that we can save the day.

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Because we love the idea, in that moment, that we can be the superhero. And our bosses and colleagues love that idea too, because they believe in you (and because it solves a big problem without affecting them too much) .

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But think about it for a moment. You've seen your current to-do list, right? I'm talking about the stuff that needs doing before we even think about this new opportunity to come to the rescue.

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How will this ego-boosting triumph affect every other thing and every other person that's relying on you?

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Will you drop several other things that needed your attention and beat yourself up for being spread too thin? Or will you just get your head down and do it all, whatever that takes, and at the expense of your own energy, sanity, family, life or even your health? Perhaps if you wish it hard enough, you will suddenly - secretly, miraculously - uncover some hidden special powers. Kapow!

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But here's the thing. A Productivity Ninja is a human, not a superhero. If you're operating using all the stuff from my book, then yes, it may even appear to those around you that you have some kind of special magical powers. It may often look like you're capable of superhero conquest.

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But you're just a human being. You're admittedly a human with a great mindset, sharp skills and great tools to help, but you do have limits. There's no secret sauce, magic hack or supernatural powers.

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There's a limit to how much stress you can handle before it starts to have a negative effect. There's a limit to how many hours a day you can concentrate with full attention and get difficult work done. There's a limit to how long you can operate a full pelt before you need to slow down, rest or recover ready for the next set of battles.

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So if we're really going to get serious about this "being human at work" stuff, then yes, we need to cast aside the stuff that makes us feel like robots. But we also need to be clear with ourselves (and with everyone else) that none of us are superheroes, however tempting it might feel to try and play the role.

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Have a great week,

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Graham

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