There’s a coaster in my living room that reads: “I never make the same mistake twice. I make it 5 or 6 times, you know, just to be sure.”
I recently reflected on some habits that’ve led to periods of burnout and how I’ve course-corrected since. What would you add? Share to help others but if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s only once you experience something for yourself does it becomes a universal truth.
Productivity
9. Manage your own to do list
Your inbox is not your to-do list. Yes, repeat that to yourself. Still working on this one but I now carve out mornings for deep thinking & strategic work, saving most email for afternoons.
8. Learn to let it go
To that end, not every email warrants a response. Read, absorb and move on. You don’t always have to weigh in.
7. Minimize your touches
Don’t start a project or open a document until you have time to truly work on it. In the end, starting, stopping and picking things back up takes 2x the time and leaves you feeling overwhelmed by multiple incomplete tasks.
Outlook
6. Influence reality by altering your outlook
If you feel stressed, it’s easy to exude stress and no one wants to be viewed as frazzled. Reframe the stressful scenarios with positive self-talk: “It’s a lot, but I’ve got it under control. I just need to make a plan.” Adjust your outlook by breaking big asks into achievable pieces. This mentality alone will help build a more calm reality.
[Tip in practice: “There’s so much to be done to make this blog awesome and I don’t know where to start” vs. “Just begin. Today, sit down and write a business post.”]
5. Own your strengths
Always acknowledge your weaknesses and look to improve, but focus on your strengths. How can you become better at those things? Spend your time there.
4. Know comparison is the thief of joy
Despite your strengths, there will always be someone smarter and more successful – benchmark against yourself, focus on what’s in your control and celebrate progress.
The Great Between
3. Separate the urgent & the important
When planning your time, abide by the Eisenhower Decision Matrix:
- Important/Urgent
- Important/Not Urgent
- Urgent/Not Important
- Not Urgent/Not Important
Do this weekly, monthly and quarterly to ensure you’re regularly calibrating, progressing and staving off the urgent that masquerades as important. In doing this, I don’t always keep work and personal separate – hours are more fluid than ever and seeing the big picture will help you make the tough choices re: where to spend your time.
2. Make space
I’m a calendar ninja (weekdays are often scheduled to a T) but what makes you successful at work doesn’t always translate outside the office. Make room for spontaneity, especially on weekends – keep them uncluttered. Sometimes unproductive time is productive.
1. Work less, love your life more
Work hard, really hard for what you want but be less consumed by it. When you leave the “office,” be present. The work will always be there but work doesn’t love you back, people do.
