The Simplicity Solution: Tackling Overwhelm and Embracing Change with Confidence
I listened with fascination last week to a friend who was faced with some unexpected issues that prevented her from doing what she’d planned. I watched her complicate matters to the point that she felt overwhelmed and unable to even begin anything at all. It got me wondering about how often I’ve done that myself, especially if I was already feeling a little pressured. And especially if it went counter to what I’d planned. It's always been my fondest fantasy that I embrace change. But if that’s so, then why does anything that disrupts my plans put me off so much? In this, I suspect I may be like many of you: that I like some change, that I like the idea of embracing change, but that I also want to accomplish what I’ve set out to do, and if some extra thing threatens that possibility, I begin to get overwhelmed. Today, for instance, I had some medical exams, then found out I need to review a 2- hour video I hadn’t planned on, then needed to spend an hour trying to set up follow-up meetings. I had planned of spending that time differently, and hadn’t also planned on any down time. That meant I had to drop what I wanted to do in order take care of what turned up. My problem, I realized, wasn’t that something came up. My problem was that I had tried to pack too much into my day, so that there was no room for anything that might come up. My solution: simplify. Make down time as important as everything else on that list. By applying the 6 rules from the Ted Talk below to my personal life, here’s how I make my day simple and uncomplicated:
Understand what I need to do and why – because some of things I think I need to do aren’t really that necessary;
Reinforce my strengths and know what I’m not great at: some things I have on my list aren’t things I do well, and never will do well;
Farm out what I’m not great at, whenever possible, or make doing these things more enjoyable. If at all possible, find someone who actually likes doing those things, or who I can afford to pay. If that isn’t realistic, then make them as short as possible, even if it means doing a tiny amount over a few days;
Be aware of the consequences of all the decisions I make, so that it’s clear what is motivating me to do it, and what it truly costs me;
Increase reciprocity: that means make whatever I do fair to myself and anyone else involved. If you’re like me, you probably take the lion’s share. Find a way to stop doing that; and
Reward myself after a good day done. As important as booking in down time.
Quote of the Week
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking."- Friedrich Nietzsche
As work gets more complex, 6 rules to simplify
Invitation
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