Redefine What Matters and Get More Done
Today, I fed the cats, and injected the fat one with insulin. Then I woke up my daughter, made breakfast, packed her lunch, put in a wash, walked her to the bus, ate my own breakfast, took a shower, responded to six emails, tagged a friend on Facebook, ran to a doctor’s appointment, picked up milk on the way home and then settled in to research and write the article about performance anxiety. All that was in my first three hours of the day. But, after all that, with plenty of work still to be done I took a long lunch break, and read a book by the fire. And, I felt restored.
Taking time out like that has been a gradual change for me. I used to work long hours – always — never took a vacation. Sometimes, I still do work long hours, for weeks at a time even, to meet deadlines. And, I have hectic days and mornings with too many activities and demands. But, then I may take a break, or do something fun, or interesting or quiet. Each day includes some of the essential tasks and some of the things that are essential to me. That, I have discovered, is the key to productivity. Yep, I get more done, by doing more of the things that matter.
Notice What You Are Busy Doing
We are all busy, busy. Busy with the routine of life. Busy with DVR-ing the programs we’ll be busy watching later, busy running the kids to afterschool activities, and responding to e-mails, and texts, and voice mails and Facebook messages. We are busy doing, but rarely do we notice what.
I started paying attention to how I spent my time, particularly on the days when I was feeling most frantic and frazzled. Those were the same days, it turned out, that I didn’t take time to do anything I was passionate about. I didn’t slow down long enough to connect with the people I cared about. I didn’t laugh enough or hug enough. I certainly didn’t have time for fun. Nor did I meditate to take time alone to be still and quiet. Sometimes I hadn’t even eaten lunch. On those days, I was busy being busy, overscheduled, uptight and stressed out. I was getting the chores and errands and obligations done, but I wasn’t too efficient. And, by the end of the day I felt wiped out and a little empty because I had not done anything meaningful.
Keeping busy is not something I aspire to any longer. But doing meaningful work, being a good friend and family member, nurturing my own soul, body and brain – that stuff matters to me. And now, I make sure I spend some time doing those things every day.
When you do that a crazy thing happens. You feel better. More energized, efficient. And When you focus on consciously creating a life that includes a combo of essential task and meaningful ones, you’ll find you have something left over at the end of the day. You also enjoy it more.
In other words, sometimes the very best way to get a lot of things done, is to take the afternoon off to hang with your kid, or go to the spa, or lunch with the girls, or meditate or pray or take a hike.
Paying the Bills, Soothing Your Soul
Of course, there will always be bills to pay, groceries to buy, work deadlines to meet, and other essentials. And, I do get those things done, too. But, when we start upping the level of our lives by filling our moments with more of the things we find meaningful, we discover that all those things we once thought were essential, really aren’t.
The world is not going to end because you don’t change the sheets on Tuesday, or decorate for the holidays the day after Thanksgiving. I’m telling you from personal experience, you can go a long time (and I do mean long) before you need to clean the refrigerator. Not every text needs an immediate response.
But, slowing down long enough for a hug or a thank you or a smile, dipping into your passions, or sitting in the quiet, chatting with with friends these are the true essentials of life. If you are going to fill your to do list, fill it with these things. Fill your life with these things. And take notice of how good it feels.
Building A Meaningful Life
Psychologists tell us that the people who live the longest and healthiest lives – those with the greatest well-being – are the ones that have purpose and meaning in their lives.
But meaning doesn’t just land in your life. You’ve got to create it. Look for it, become aware. You’ve got to act and engage in this life.
I know it sounds like a luxury to sit quietly and enjoy a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning. Feels indulgent to pick up the watercolors again, or meet a friend for dinner, or take a walk on a lunch break instead of sitting hunched over your desk. But if you truly want to get more of everything done, and you want to be more present for your family and friends, you need to spend a bit-o-time on the things that matter most to you.
And, there are some surprisingly easy ways to do that. On Wednesday, I’ll tell you about some little life tweaks you can make to get more done in less time and boost up the meaning in your life.
Image from Stock.xchng
