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Your ‘Do Less’ Guide to Doing More
How to Stop Hustling for Hustle’s Sake and Start Getting the Right Stuff Done
Kim Pivot
September 06, 2024
In partnership with
Thought
We all have those days where we feel productive. You know the ones—I crushed my to-do list, every box checked, emails answered, meetings had, coffee drunk. But at the end of the day, there’s this weird feeling like… did I even move the needle? I’m efficient, but am I really getting anywhere?
Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.
I’ve been thinking about how doing more isn’t always the same as doing what matters most. And yeah, AI is pretty much changing the game when it comes to productivity, but if we don’t know how to focus on the right things, we’re just using technology to spin our wheels faster.
So, how do we stop confusing busyness for progress? It starts with understanding the difference between getting things done and getting the right things done. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Scoop
1. Know What Actually Matters (Spoiler: It’s Probably Less Than You Think)
There’s this lie we tell ourselves that everything is important. Every email, every ping, every favor someone asks of us. But not everything deserves your time. The first step in being more effective is deciding what’s truly important and learning to filter out the rest. This might mean saying “no” more often, or at least learning how to make peace with an imperfect to-do list.
Take a few minutes at the start of your day to write down your top 1-3 priorities—the things that, if done, would make today feel like a win. These are your non-negotiables. Everything else? It can wait. Trust me, no one’s going to remember that you didn’t get to Inbox Zero.
A reminder to prioritize your stuff
2. Batch the Small Stuff (Because Switching Costs You More Than You Think)
Ever notice how when you’re in the zone on a project, it’s almost like time doesn’t exist? But then you check your phone, answer one email, and boom—your focus is gone. It takes time and mental energy to switch between tasks, which is why multitasking (or “task-switching” as the cool kids call it) is actually a productivity killer.
Batch similar tasks together. Set aside specific blocks of time for answering emails, returning calls, or handling paperwork. This way, your brain can stay focused on one type of work, making you more efficient and allowing you to dive deeper into the stuff that actually matters.
3. Outsource the Rest (Your Time Is Worth More Than You Think)
Here’s the kicker: You don’t have to do it all. Whether it’s at work or at home, there are probably tasks on your list that someone else (or something else) could handle. This might mean delegating to a team member, hiring someone for household chores, or automating repetitive tasks. The point is to get comfortable letting go of the things that don’t require your personal attention. Because the more you free up your time, the more you can focus on the big stuff.
Take 10 minutes to list out all the tasks that make you feel like you’re spinning your wheels. Then ask yourself: “Do I really need to be doing this?” Start small. Outsource one task and see how much mental energy it frees up. You might be surprised how much lighter you feel.
Resources
We all feel the pressure to get everything done, but if you’re tired of being busy without feeling effective, there’s a classic book that might just change the way you think. Peter Drucker’s The Effective Executive is a must-read that I find myself keep returning to. It is for anyone looking to master the art of time management and focus on results. Drucker breaks down what it really means to be effective, offering timeless advice on how to manage your time, priorities, and decision-making like a pro.
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Last Word
At the end of the day, it’s not about cramming more into your schedule—it’s about choosing the right things to focus on. If you can get just 1% better at that every day, you’re going to look back in a few months and realize how far you’ve come.
+1% each day
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