Photo Credit (Freepik)
Do you ever wonder how you’ll get everything done? Or how will you make time for yourself when it seems there aren’t enough hours in the day?
I hear you! While we may deal with being overbooked on sometimes, being on a never-ending treadmill of commitments has a negative impact on our health, happiness, creativity, and meaningful interests. Maybe we’re all busier than we need to be.
Are we adding additional labor and duties when doing less could result in more benefits? Is getting things done how we demonstrate our worth? Do we keep ourselves busy to avoid having to deal with unpleasant emotions? Or do we take on more than we can handle for fear of disappointing others or nervousness about speaking up? The truth is that there are numerous actual and fictional reasons why we press the pedal to the metal, but nothing will change unless we change our approach to busy living.
Today I’d like to share two instances that made me reconsider my crazy schedule. Then I’ll give you some pointers to help you make more time for your gorgeous self!
I took time off, but no one needed me.
What?! For years, I wanted to go on a vacation with my husband, but something always came up: doctor appointments, speaking engagements, manuscript deadlines, product launches, renovations, and one emergency after another. Finally, even though the week fell in the heart of a busy period for my company, we booked the tickets.
Of course, I was concerned about what might happen in my absence.
But did the planet explode? Nope! My team thrived even without me. They formed stronger ties with one another, found time to complete old tasks, and successfully completed a large project. By the end of the week, kids were overjoyed with their accomplishments and couldn’t wait to share them with me. While I was proud, I was also a little off-balanced after discovering that my indispensability was partly a dream.
But I also came to trust them more. Who doesn’t flourish when they are trusted? And, while taking time off is certainly crucial for my health, it is also critical for the health of my business. I am a more creative and clear-headed leader when I have time to noodle, doodle, and canoodle.
So, maybe this case applies to you as well. Is your participation always necessary? Can your colleagues manage that meeting without you? Can your child prepare that peanut butter and jelly sandwich by herself? Can you ask for help and delegate more at home and at work? There will always be ten more emails to read and many demands on our time. However, do not be frightened to power down. I promise it will assist you in powering up when and when you need it most.
Doing less can lead to greater abundance.
Here’s another case that startled me. This year, doing less resulted in higher earnings. Instead of focusing on numerous small business prospects, we pared back and concentrated on our incredible wellness program, Crazy Sexy You.
At first, I was concerned.
Would withdrawing affect our finances? We’ve grown tremendously in the last two years, and our monthly overhead occasionally makes me nervous. As you might imagine, saying “no” to many little (and even some large) possibilities allowed us to focus entirely on our launch, curriculum, and cherished students. We delved deep, and the outcomes were exceptional, both in terms of student experiences and success rates, as well as revenue. A two-fer!
I’m not sure about you, but there is so much I want to do with my large, lovely life. I’d like to spend more time traveling, hanging out with my friends and family, drifting in a canoe, and dangling my feet from a pier. I want to do things I’ve always wanted to do, as well as those I haven’t even considered yet. However, endless “doing” prevents the fulfillment of being. Isn’t that what you and I are here for? We’re here to live life to the fullest and savor every moment before our next trip. So, let’s do that!
Here are a few pointers to help you make time for what really counts.
Tips to Do Less and Live More
Let go of your guilt (and learn to disappoint others).
When you try to take on more than you can handle, you will disappoint others. Guess what? Not a problem! Here’s a concept. Make peace with your guilt. Guilt is often a self-created illusion. Many languages lack a term for guilt. Yes, we all feel it. But this doesn’t mean we have to believe it! Acknowledge your emotions and let them go. Life is too short to feel guilty.
Keep your emails, meetings, and communications short.
Just because someone writes you a long, chatty email does not need you to respond in the same length. If I allowed it, my inbox could become a full-time job, but it doesn’t have to be. With so many technologies in our lives, the etiquette is constantly changing. Establishing a clear and swift communication style may create some discomfort at first, but people will eventually adapt and even appreciate it. The same is true for meetings. We may still be cordial and create relationships, but we don’t need to waste too much time circling the wagons. Connect smartly. A restorative yoga class awaits.
Delete, delete, delete!
OK, I admit it: sometimes I just delete emails. Yes, I don’t answer them. However, I use an away message to notify people that I’m working on a project and may not be able to respond for a while. And if it’s truly important, they should email my assistant or resend their request after a particular date. Okay, here’s the deal. We all have our own to-do lists; we don’t need other people’s “you-do” lists to add to our already busy calendars. People will figure it out—they always do. Clearly, this does not work in many situations. Please use common sense—you can’t delete communications from your elderly grandmother or employer, but the low-hanging fruit doesn’t always have to be picked, especially when it comes in the form of mass emails.
Let them judge.
You cannot please everyone. When you’re too focused on meeting other people’s expectations, you don’t spend enough time raising your own. Sure, some individuals may whisper, protest, or pass judgment. However, most of it is in your head. People care less about your behavior than you believe. Why? Because they have their own issues. However, if you receive the stinkeye, try not to let it bother you. It could just be that they are envious of your bravery in taking risks. Perhaps they’d like to take action but are too terrified to do so. It’s not your problem or karma to figure out, just saying.
Do a social media cleansing.
I enjoy checking Facebook and following my friends and those I respect on Instagram. However, I sometimes spend more time in their lives than in my own! When that happens, I feel off-center or as if I’m missing something. Why can’t I bake a cake like this? How come I wasn’t invited to that party? How the hell does her hair always look that great? And so on. The truth is that my and your lives are wonderful (flaws and all). So, if you find yourself scrolling through other people’s accounts, it’s definitely time to disconnect from your device. You do not need to cancel your account or swear off the sauce. You could just need a break. Alternatively, you could choose to organize your feed. That’s correct; perform an unfollowing purge. Energy is important, and if your social feed is loaded with energy that brings you down, boost your vibration by clicking the gorgeous “unfollow” button!
You don’t have to fix people.
Oh my goodness, I sometimes offer to fix folks who don’t want to be cured! It’s a byproduct of what I do for a career, but it’s not always welcome or necessary. “You’re off duty, Kris, chill the” F “out.” Self-reliance is an essential component of healing and success. Nobody handed me the keys to the Queendom; I had to forge my own path. And, while I enjoy assisting others, it is not my responsibility to save everyone, especially when everyone has their own goals and objectives. The same is true for amazing you. Take all of that energy and channel it back into yourself, sweetie. You deserve your own time and attention.
Trust yourself and others.
Trust is an essential component of any relationship. Our drive to control and micromanage everything might undermine our confidence in ourselves and others. People are far more capable than we imagine. A strong dose of trust is often required to release the magic. Have faith.
Pace yourself.
I enjoy creative benders. I become laser-focused and flourish at those times. But those jags are unsustainable. We need time to recover after large endeavors, both at home and at work. Furthermore, continuous back-to-back benders might lead to burnout. When you need to dig deep (hello, house renovation), go for it. Just make sure to give yourself time to heal.
Select your priorities wisely—do not strive to “have it all.”
You can still be ambitious, manage your own business, repair your body, and be a kind and committed partner, father, and friend—just not all at the same time. We need to make decisions and compromises. Also, here’s a crucial question I like to ask myself. Do you really want everything? I mean, everything requires effort and maintenance! This leaves less time for wonder, whimsy, and unexpected magic. We were not put on this planet to work like never-ending engines that only stop when they fail. Determine what your “all” is, and then make room for miracles.
You are worthwhile simply sitting still.
Say what? This is a large one! I am still learning how to be more present. When I am, I can hear my body’s tiny signals before they become too loud. The beauty of music and theater stems not just from the sounds and words themselves but also from the pauses between. I refer to it as the sacred pause; it is an enormous space where you can connect with your higher power, intuition, and heal. Doing nothing can be the best investment in your life. There is nothing you need to do or prove to them. You are worthy just as you are.
Your turn: What are some strategies for doing less while living or being more? Please let me know in the comments section below—I appreciate your recommendations! We can all help each other discover more healthy breathing space.
