366 - 3 Reasons Your Productivity Hacks Aren’t Working (And What to Do Instead)

Alive & Well – Burnout, Anxiety, Nervous System, Productivity, Time Management, Somatic Tools, Work-Life Balance

You’re ambitious. You’re organized. You’ve got the planner, the calendar app, and the color-coded to-do list.

So why do you still feel overwhelmed, behind, and exhausted by 2pm?

Here’s the truth:
It’s not your calendar that’s the problem.
It’s your nervous system.

Because when your body is stuck in survival mode, no time-blocking strategy in the world will stick.

In this episode, we’re flipping the script on productivity and revealing the 3 nervous system patterns that are quietly sabotaging your performance:

• Chronic overwhelm – Why you’re always “on” but never feel done
• People-pleasing – Why you say yes when your body says no
• Constant urgency – Why slowing down feels unsafe (even when you're desperate for rest)

💡 You’ll learn:

• The nervous system science behind these patterns
• How they show up in real life (hello, inbox spirals and overcommitment)
• Practical somatic tools to shift into grounded, sustainable flow

✨ If your go-to productivity tools aren’t cutting it, this episode is your nervous system-based reset. It’s time to regulate first—and work smarter, not harder.

Related Episodes to Explore:

• Previous Episode
• 5 Ways to Tell Whether Your Productivity is Toxic or Healthy
  • Learn how to spot the difference between sustainable output and stress-driven overworking.
• The Productivity Trap: This Is Why Being Busy Isn’t Moving You Forward
  • The neuroscience behind why “doing more” keeps you stuck.
• Why Am I Like This?! How The 3 States of Our Nervous System Affect Motherhood, Health, and Productivity
  • Break down the science of sympathetic vs. parasympathetic states—and how they impact your habits.
• Are You High or Low Energy? Nervous System Balancing Exercises Based on Your Energy Type
• Start Doing This Today to Reclaim Your Energy with Chloe Ward
  • Get practical tips to reset your system when you’re running on empty.