Too much to do? Do less
How doing less at work gets better results
Hey there,
I hope your week has been both productive and rewarding.
Today, I want to talk about how you can achieve more in your career or business by intentionally doing less.
We often tend to fill our schedules with an endless list of tasks and projects, constantly striving to do more and be more "productive". As someone who has always been driven and ambitious, I'm guilty of that too. But in reality, we all know that this will lead to burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of focus on what truly matters.
But why do we feel the need to constantly pile more onto our plates? Even if we know deep down it's not sustainable or fulfilling in the long run?
We live in a society where being busy is glorified and multitasking is seen as a necessary skill for success. We measure our worth and success by the number of tasks we can check off in a day. And with the constant influx of information and opportunities, it's easy to feel like we're falling behind if we're not constantly doing more.
But here's the thing: we often mistake being busy for being productive.
When we have too much on our plate, we end up spreading ourselves too thin. Our attention is divided between multiple tasks, making it difficult for us to give 100% to each one. This can result in subpar work or missed deadlines. Causing even more stress and pressure. When our energy is depleted from trying to do too much, there's little left for self-care and personal development. And we end up living on autopilot, just trying to get through the day.
So, how can we break free from this cycle?
Let me share a perspective with you that I got from the Daoist concept of wu wei:
Do less.
If you've read the dao of the mind, you know that wu wei means non-action—that it's about being in flow and trusting the natural course of things. Sometimes that means taking a step back and doing less.
Delegate some tasks to others who are better equipped or have more time.
Identify the most important things that must be done first and focus on those.
Or learn to say no to opportunities or tasks that don't align with your goals or values.
Don't ask yourself how to do less if there's so much to do. Ask yourself how you can make it possible. It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you do less.
Because when we intentionally do less, we give ourselves the opportunity to focus on what truly matters. We can prioritize our tasks and projects, giving each one the attention it deserves. And this leads to higher quality work and a sense of accomplishment.
On top of that, doing less gives us room for self-care and personal growth.
When we’re not constantly jumping from one task to the next, we can take a breather to recharge and reflect. That helps us keep a good work-life balance and gives us the chance to grow both personally and professionally.
Yes, you're right. It's very simple. Most of the best solutions are simple. But that doesn't mean it's always easy to implement. It takes discipline and a shift in mindset. But trust me, it's worth it.
As Laozi wisely put it:
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by an endless to-do list, remember that doing less isn’t a sign of laziness or lack of productivity. It’s about acting with intention and focusing on what truly matters.
Weekly Reflection
What is one task or project that I can delegate, postpone, or say no to in order to do less and focus on what truly matters?
🍵 Thank you for reading!
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you! I hope they bring you a moment of reflection and a touch of peace.
Until next time, do less.
– Zhenya
P.S. If you're new here, it's nice to meet you! I invite you to check out the past editions to get a sense of what my Teacup is all about.
🌊 Where can you flow next?
The Way of the Dao: This course is a structured, easy-to-follow introduction to Daoism. It's designed to help you apply its wisdom in a practical way.
My Daoist Mentorship: This is a highly personalized, one-on-one written mentorship. Designed for those who want to step onto a timeless path of self-mastery, inner balance, and effortless flow.
I learn so much from you. Thank you for sharing the concept of wu wei — achieving more by doing less and focusing on what matters. I find this concept quite relatable. Finding balance and being intentional with our time and energy are essential. Slowing down is a strength that allows us manage our energy and time.
I often experience, that "urgent" matters no more, than until the next considerable time when the "urgent matter" is deleted from the To-do-list