What would happen if I did less?
Could I achieve more and find some inner calm?
What I’m about to say now may make no sense or might resonate deeply, depending on your circumstances. But I’m going to try and do less to get more done. This statement terrifies me.
I say, depending on your circumstances, because last night, several ladies had no idea what I was talking about when I shared this concept in my book club. They didn’t know what deep work was, and once I explained, they said they never experienced it. They were busy and did lots of things but not deep work. (Cal Newport has a book on Deep Work, so that’s going on next years to be read list.)
I am lucky that I am not in a job where constant interruption is the norm. As an executive trainer and coach, when I’m doing my thing, I do my thing and do not get interrupted.
I can’t do more than one coaching session or workshop at a time, so I can say no to work if I’m already booked on the day in question. I can overschedule myself, but as that ebbs and flows, it rarely becomes an issue.
In Meditations for Mortals by Cal Burkeman, he states that true creative productivity comes from three to four hours a day maximum. After that, you’re pretty much spinning your wheels.
you’ll make the most progress, and cover the…
