At the beginning of 2017, I posted a LinkedIn article entitled “2017 - A Year of Less.” It was inspired by a holiday period where I had fallen off the wagon on some good habits and consumed more than I needed – more sweets, more drinks, more news, more Internet/TV.
It revealed an interesting paradox, one where I noticed that, after a point, the more I consumed the less satisfied I was with my consumption. You may have experienced something similar over this past holiday or at times during the pandemic?
We yearn to add more freedom, more travel, more visiting with family and friends, more public events to the year ahead once the vaccine is widespread and we are clear to do so. However, there was also something deeply attractive to the idea of intentionally having less of certain things in the year ahead.
Less is Still More
The global pandemic showed us all early on how we could get by with less. How a simpler life was in many ways a better life. Not perfect, as there are clearly things we all still miss, but there was a qualitative difference in a simpler life that many people relished.
As you look ahead, here are a few ideas on where you can intentionally bring less of what you don’t need with you into the New Year.
1. Less Shallow Work (and More Deep Work)
Four years ago I was inspired by Deep Work by Cal Newport. It completely changed my relationship with technology and shaped how I approach my work day. And while I have a host of improved habits that serve me well, I have been on again off again with fully operationalizing my focus blocks.
My recent participation in the Nature of Work 8-week focus program this Fall was a brilliant reminder of the power of accountability and community in changing our habits.
If I were to ask you “what’s the one thing you know, that if you did (or stopped doing) on regular basis, it would make a huge difference in your productivity in 2021 - what would that be?” I’m pretty sure you know what that is! We all do!
How much of our lives are taken up by unimportant email, phone calls, meaningless meetings or social media feeds? Too often we feel as though “we have to” – yet the reality is there is almost always a choice.
For most of us, our survival brain continues to lure us into ‘shallow work’ with the illusion that it is important. The result? Our time to focus on deep work is fleeting and we become addicted to the instant gratification of shallow work - which only deepens this as a bad habit and makes it harder to get back to deep work.
The key is developing the habit to do or not do that one thing that makes all the difference.
For most of us, the key to developing habits is to either have an executive coach (because habit change is very challenging on our own) or find the accountability and community you need to operationalize those habits through a program that inspires you (more on that at the end).
2. Less Negative Thinking
“The elimination diet: Remove anger, regret, resentment, guilt, blame and worry. Then, watch your health and life improve.”
Charles F. Glassman
How much of an unconscious toll do we pay for our negative thinking? What if for 2021, you say “enough with the self-judgment, guilt, worry or resentment” and other negative thinking?!
And instead, practice quickly moving your mind to what you want more of - more gratitude (there is so much we take for granted that we can be truly grateful for), more focus on what’s in your control (where you place your attention, your habits, your mindset), more acceptance (being genuinely kind to yourself and others and not judging yourself or others), more confidence (focusing on your strengths) and more compassion and kindness in your relationships.
With practice, this is a skill you can get very good at. Every time I dismiss the negative chatter I know I’m rewiring my brain and creating this as a habit – one that creates more space for what I do want.
3. Less Clutter, Less Stuff
Four years ago I was inspired by a podcast with minimalist and author Joshua Fields Millburn to simplify my life down to only that which is essential. In many ways this has been a huge success. Letting go of trying to do it all, have it all, stay on top of it all, etc. and focusing solely on what matters most has been life-changing.
Yet, as I look around my home, work and life, there is always more that can be purged, lightened, let go of. Our survival brain is based on fear and insecurity. It has served us so well over the millennia to keep us alive, but our unconscious desire to hoard or hang onto things which no longer serve us weighs us down.
What would it be like for you to have fewer things in closets, cupboards, storage locker for some day? How about if you had fewer emails, meetings, subscriptions, followed fewer influencers or news feeds?
My sense is you would feel lighter. Freer. Happier. Having more space to notice, appreciate and experience what matters most in your life.
As Claude Debussy said:
“Music is the space between the notes.”
Conclusion
There you have it - even though there are a number of things I want to add to 2021, I’m equally excited by the idea of making it a year with less of some things.
How about you – what do you want less of in the year ahead?
And knowing how hard it is to not default back to our old ways, I highly encourage you to find the accountability and community you need to get you there.
This is the work I do. I support highly successful CPAs to delete the overwhelm in their lives, focus on what matters most and live life with more joy!
I invite you and your team to sign up <here> to be part of the CPA specific Nature of Work 8-week focus program starting February 1st at 1:00 pm.