The Corporate Happiness Treadmill and the Case for Doing Less

The author argues that the modern corporate culture prioritizes productivity and busyness over employee well-being, leading to burnout. They suggest that this culture is a 'happiness treadmill' that never allows employees to feel truly fulfilled. The author proposes that doing less is a more effective way to be productive and happy, citing the example of a software engineer who took a 30-day break from work and saw significant improvements in their mental and physical health. The author also references the concept of ' Ikigai', a Japanese philosophy that emphasizes finding meaning and purpose in life outside of work.