The act of being busy seems to have become a positive quality – something we should strive for. People who are not busy are definitely lazy, lethargic, and definitely not doing enough. You may have seen articles or heard rhetoric about glorifying busyness, and I really think it’s a scary but pervasive phenomenon.
With modern technology and an abundance of information at our fingertips (aka your inbox), it’s easy for us to adapt to situations of constant plug-in, digital availability, and a desire to engage that may be more than we can actually handle. My life is definitely going to get very hectic, and at first I wasn’t sure how to manage it all, but now I understand that doing too much isn’t always a good thing. I used to think that the busier a person is, the more successful they must be.
Now, I think the definition of success is closer to someone who creates value for others, feels connected to what they do, and has the freedom to spend their time as they please. I’ve learned from experience, so to speak, that it’s my responsibility to “filter my life” to protect my mental health, well-being, and of course, a happier feeling.
This means several things: say no, slow down, prioritize, and check yourself. If you feel like taking your time off too long, such as taking a break as a daydream, or feeling a constant urge to do something, here are a few strategies you can implement to take back control of your life and feel more attuned to what you’re doing .
calm down
It sounds counterintuitive, but one way to recalibrate and really understand how energy is distributed is to do nothing. Set aside some time each day to simply do it. Sit down and focus on your breathing and do nothing else. Don’t hold your phone, listen to podcasts, or turn on the TV in the background. Just sit back and don’t focus on anything else. You may notice that this is extremely difficult – a clear sign that we are adjusting to constant stimulation and multitasking. I prefer to start my day with a quick meditation or gratitude practice. This helps me clear my mind, put my “problems” in perspective and make me feel more at peace during the day at work. Taking a moment to be quiet can actually help us handle the rest of the day more gracefully and help us answer our questions more easily. All you have to do is spend time doing nothing.
slow down
Commit to being mindful as you start your day. Do your best to complete a single task and keep your intentions in mind in each activity. When I sit down to write a blog post, I’m tempted to pick up my phone and start browsing Insta or open my email tab and refresh it every now and then. These things only inhibit my ability to accomplish the task at hand and lead me to various tangents. Doing one thing at a time is difficult because it feels like we’re moving slowly. But if you start practicing this habit, you’ll noticeably improve your concentration, gain more brain power, and be more focused on the present moment. I know I sound like a cross between Yoda and a yoga instructor – wait, is the spelling of those two words a coincidence? – but trust me, it will help you be more focused and thus be more productive.
do less
Less is more, baby. When our to-do lists are incredibly long, our motivation automatically diminishes and we go into overdrive, which hurts our productivity. Often, you can highlight some of the key tasks that have the greatest impact on your life and future. I like to think about the 80-20 rule. This essentially says that 80% of your success comes from 20% of your investment/effort/time, and conversely, 20% of your resources/effort results in 80% of your unhappiness. Start making yourself do less every day and eliminate nuances. Pick two or three things that help you the most each day, and don’t worry about the rest. You might notice that the world isn’t over, and you feel like you have fewer to-dos to do every day.
plan your day
After you’ve filtered your list down to the most important tasks, taking the time to plan your day makes you more likely to actually get it done. Establish a morning routine that includes meditation or quiet time, some kind of physical activity, and anything else you personally need to do to get inspired and designate when you start your day’s tasks. I recommend processing them in order of importance. Spending just 1% of your time (or 14 minutes) planning the rest of the time can greatly improve your performance and make you less susceptible to a common phenomenon called scatterbrain.
Check in weekly
Similar to the first strategy for calming your mind, it is also important to schedule a time each week to check in on yourself. Every Sunday night, you sit at the kitchen table with a notebook and jot down how the week went. What is going well? What can be done better? What can still be phased out or outsourced? What needs your attention more? Some things are out of your control, so leave it alone and focus on what you can do. If you do this every week, you will greatly improve your quality of life. It’s like a self-course right. Don’t underestimate the power of self-examination.
this post iss Originally published October 2019.
race
