Six Ways to Get More Doing Without Doing as Much
Chances are you have a to-do list that stretches longer than a roll of toilet paper. But you’ll be more productive, healthier, happier if your list includes things that add meaning and purpose to your life. In other words: Spend some time doing what matters and you’ll get more done the rest of the day.
Think you don’t have time? Baloney. Here are six ways to make time for meaning, without adding extra stress and drama to your day.
1. Get a good night’s sleep. Seriously. You will get more done in your day if you get a solid night’s sleep, or even if you fit in a nap during the day. There is plenty of research out of Stanford University and elsewhere that indicates people who are well rested are perform better, have faster reactions, are more productive and have better working memory than those who are tired. You’re also less likely to experience burnout or illness. Don’t believe it? Try it for a bit. Sleep eight to 10 hours a night and keep track of how much you get done during the day. Then, go for a couple of weeks without adequate sleep. Chances are you’ll do a better job and get more done when you are well rested and on the job.
2. Appreciate what you are doing. When we rush from one task to another we end up feeling more frantic than fantastic. We are also more likely to make mistakes that waste our time. But, take a two minute pause to write or say aloud the things you appreciate about the tasks at hand and you’re awareness will increase and your mood will improve. For example, the other day, when I was unloading the dishwasher, I took a minute to be grateful for the time saving appliance and I publicly gave a shout out to all the dishes we have that are there to clean. It changed the moment, boosted my gratitude and added meaning. It also fired me up for the next task because I felt better.
3. Stop multi-tasking. No matter what you think, (unless you are part of a rare class of Super Taskers, and you probably aren’t) you’re more likely to get more done if you stop multi-tasking and take on one thing at a time. So, put down the cell phone, and stop making your daughter’s lunch. Take on one at a time and you’ll make fewer mistakes, breeze through the essentials and have time leftover for things that matter.
4. Be decisive. We spend lots of time trying to make up our minds. When you are faced with lots of choices – a la the variety of drinks at our fancy coffee shops or too many cereals on the shelf – stick with the variety you usually go with. During our day we are forced to make dozens of decisions on a slew of issues. When we face too many choices our self-control takes a hit, according to researcher Kathleen Vohs, and it becomes harder to make a good decision. Instead, keep it simple and you will save time and self-control for the things that matter.
5. Define your essentials, and do those. Not everything is essential. We’ve all got to take care of business — that reminds me: I need to make the house payment today — but, there aren’t many things that absolutely have to be done right now. Texting is NOT essential. Do what you must, but get clear that not everything is a must do, every day. Once you’ve finished an essential task, take time to do something you’re passionate about and you’ll feel energized and more productive during the rest of your day.
6. Schedule time for your passion. Living with passion and purpose IS essential if you want to live a happier, healthier life. And who doesn’t? So, reserve at least 15 minutes a day for something that feels good. Drink a cup of tea in the garden. Sleep in if your body needs it. Meet a friend for lunch. Listen, uninterrupted to your favorite music. Read a book. Do something, every day that makes you feel good, that inspires and excites you. When you live with passion – even for a few minutes a day – you are rejuvenated. That energy will carry over and you’ll find yourself more productive and engaged in all that you do.
