Getting Off the Roller Coaster

You may enjoy your work, but do you oftentimes feel as though you aren't getting anything done, despite the long hours you're putting in? What about the rest of your life? Do you have time to enjoy being with your family? Or do you feel like there's just too much pressure like you're on some crazy roller coaster, trying your best just to hang on?

One of the best-selling time management books on Amazon addresses these issues and offers sage advice on how to deal with them. Greg McKeown's Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less argues that if people were more selective about what they consider essential then they would have more control over their own choices. Too much of what we spend our time on tends to be trivial, which not only threatens our success at work, but trickles down into our personal lives as well.

I saw McKeown give a keynote speech at ICON15 and his excellent message is the foundation for his book — that we should be doing less, but doing it better. Here are some suggestions from Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less and McKeown's blog that could help you have a more balanced life:

• Ask “What is essential?” and eliminate the rest. Sometimes we forget that, as adults, we have choices—we don't have to do everything. If you are spending time on things that are trivial, stop. If it's not vital, don't do it.
• Give yourself permission to quit. This is for those people who live by the words “If I said I would do it, then I'll do it.” If it's not that important that it gets done, don't do it. If you've bitten off more than you can chew, then be upfront about it and walk away.
• Don't make “yes” the default answer to everything. You can readily see that the idea here is that you personally shouldn't be responsible for getting everything done. Just remember, if you're walking around saying “yes” without thinking about it—and smiling while you're doing so—you probably look ever so slightly insane. Don't be crazy—say “no”.
• Working all night does not make you more productive. Working all night means you're sleep deprived. It means your health will suffer, your work will suffer, and your personal life will suffer. Get the proper amount of sleep, and make it a priority.
• Make boundaries. Your life can't be about all work. Making time for your family, friends, health, and yourself makes you a more rounded person, and gives you the breathing space you need away from work. You will ultimately be better for not accepting every single project, client, invitation, etc., that comes your way if you are only fitting in the most important ones and making time for your personal life.

Focusing in on the essential things in life can be very freeing, and can help increase your productivity. Just keep in mind that life is short, and you don't have time to be riding roller coasters that don't allow you to appreciate the scenery. These only succeed in making you ill—get off that ride and have a life that really matters.