Better Outcomes, Less Burnout
Maybe you’ve heard these…
“Work hard and play hard.”
“She’s the first to arrive and the last to leave.”
“There is no substitute for hard work.”
We’re bombarded in advertising, social media, and news stories with the message that if you aren’t putting in more effort than everyone else, you’re falling behind. We find inspiration in athletes who spend 10 hours a day training for one specific thing or CEOs who never seem to leave the office. We’re told in a myriad of ways that it’s most valuable when it’s hard.
That might be true for some situations, but does it really make sense for most of what we do? By placing value on the effort instead of the outcome, we narrow the possibilities for finding the best ways to do things. Instead of looking for ways to reduce our efforts, we end up spending our time finding ways to deal with the burnout that comes with expending every ounce of energy we have.
What is the best way to achieve the outcome you desire? How can you reduce the effort it takes to do so?
This is the crux of Greg McKeown’s book Effortless. How can you reduce the effort it takes to get something done? There is usually more than one way to accomplish something, so why not find the way that gives you the results you need with the least amount of effort?
I wanted to find ways to not just help my own team achieve great outcomes with less effort but to help our clients do the same. Here are a few ideas from the book that resonate with me:
Pair the most essential activities with the most enjoyable ones. If your to-do list is littered with tasks that will drain you, guess how you’ll feel at the end... drained! Scatter moments of fun throughout your day, and take breaks to reenergize.
Rest. You might be able to accomplish one more thing today but will it leave you with a work hangover tomorrow? Give yourself space to come down from the effort and recharge.
Define “done.” The pressure to do more can keep your mental wheels turning long after they need to be. Start your day or your project with a clear idea of what it will mean to be done and, when you reach it, stop.
Trust your team. Surround yourself with intelligent, capable people and you’ll all have the space to focus on doing your best work.
How might your life change if you let go of going the extra mile and focus on what matters most?