Achieving More By Doing Less: How To Bridge The Rift Between Productivity And Purpose
Imagine this:
A pleasant voice asks you “How are you?”
The cashier waits for a reply as you pay for your coffee. It takes you a second to pry and snatch your mind back from the pile of work waiting for you on your desk.
This might be your only break all day. You finally come up with an answer you’ve spoken a thousand times: “Good…thanks”
Now think:
Have you ever felt like you’re constantly running from one thing to another, trying to pack a week’s worth of work into a single day?
I know I have.
I used to be someone who thought that productivity was all about getting as much done as possible in a day. I would plan my day down to the minute and try to squeeze in as many tasks as possible. But despite my best efforts, I always felt like I needed to catch up. I was constantly stressed and exhausted, and I never seemed to get to the things that mattered to me.
But then I did something that changed the way I view my day-to-day.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to feel like we’re expected to be productive and efficient all the time. A lot is expected of us as we continue to live in a get-it-done, hustle-now culture, governed by overflowing calendars and endless to-do lists.
The pressure to get things done quickly and efficiently can be overwhelming, leaving us with little time to focus on the things that matter most.
We are constantly on auto-pilot mode. It is all Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repent?
All this running around makes it hard for us to be present.
But crossing items off a list doesn’t always mean we are moving forward. Getting more “stuff” done will not necessarily help us accomplish our bigger, more heartfelt and more meaningful goals.
We often get caught up in trivial tasks that consume most of our time, leaving us with little time to make progress on the more purposeful and significant things that occupy our minds before we go to bed.
The ones that tug at us before bed. The ones that don’t let us sleep. The ones that are NEVER done.
If we are always getting caught up in trivial tasks, then where are we going to find the time and energy for the big things? What’s left for the ones that matter?
What good is “busyness” if it prevents us from paying attention to what we care about?
This is where the One Big Thing Principle comes into play.
It is time we upgraded our time management approach to focus on what matters.
Boil It Down To The One Big Thing
We need to boil it down to that one big thing.
The one big thing that you’ve been putting off. The one big thing that brings you happiness, purpose and contentment. The one big thing that occupies our mind before we go to bed. The one big thing that we feel like we are meant to do and the one big thing that helps us define who we are.
The one big thing that, though doesn’t have to necessarily decide the trajectory of your life, but at least give you directions to what may come.
By incorporating the following hacks into your daily schedule, you can achieve that One Big Thing to make your work and life more rewarding.
Prioritisation
Prioritisation is the basis of the One Big Thing principle.
When you choose the One Big Thing to accomplish, it is easier to carve out time for it. It also keeps you from getting caught up in the minutia of the day — the quick breaks, the emails, the endless meetings, and whatnot.
When you choose the One Big Thing, you shift from trying to do a hundred little tasks to taking the one important step towards a goal.
Remember, it’s not about trying to accomplish everything at once; it’s about focusing on the things that truly matter to you. It’s about dedicating your time and energy to the things that bring you peace.
Think of it as taking a step a day, as a commitment to pursue your mission in life, whatever that may be — with less interference. Dedicate yourself to your One Big Thing.
Don’t Overcomplicate
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we need to plan our days down to the second to stay on track.
Micromanaging our calendars has become the norm, making it seem like we need to schedule our days down to the second to stay on track.
Heck, for me, planning is the ultimate dopamine high.
But all that planning can overcomplicate things, add unnecessary stress to our lives and disturb our health. Our constant busyness puts stress on our bodies and makes us overall, less effective.
We move haphazardly from one task to the next, connected by devices that seem glued to our hands. Habits like checking email on the evening commute or logging on to do “one last thing” before dinner keeps us from devoting our full attention to the deeper, focused and meaningful work.
We might be well-oiled productivity machines, but sometimes this productivity is without purpose. We aren’t always clear on “why” we do everything we do.
By prioritising your tasks, deciding how much time you need for each, giving them your full attention and clearly understanding the “why” behind everything you do, you’ll infuse a sense of purpose and meaning into your work.
Shorten Your List
After setting your focus on the One Big Thing for the day, you’ll identify a couple of medium and a handful of small things you’ll do every day.
The time you set aside for each will reflect its importance.
Your One Big Thing will get a couple of hours of your attention, whereas smaller things might only get a few minutes. Medium things will be right in the middle in both importance and amount of time.
Say No To Distractions
Develop the ability to say NO to distractions.
It’s easy to get sidetracked by small tasks that seem urgent but don’t contribute to your overall goals. Learning to say no to these distractions allows you to stay focused on your One Big Thing, which leads to better results and a greater sense of achievement.
Saying no also applies to your personal life. It’s important to set boundaries and prioritize your time wisely.
Maybe that means saying no to social events that don’t align with your goals or taking a break from social media to focus on your One Big Thing.
By setting boundaries and saying no to distractions, you’ll be able to focus on the things that truly matter to you.
Ask For Help
My faith in development relies on the fact that we are collaborative beings. The progress of our humankind wouldn’t have been possible without the collective effort of our species.
So, it is crucial, almost necessary to ask for help.
We often think that we need to do everything ourselves to prove our worth, but that’s not the case. Asking for help can lead to better results and a more fulfilling experience.
Collaborating with others can bring new perspectives and ideas to the table, leading to a better outcome.
In addition, asking for help can relieve some of the pressure and stress that comes with trying to do everything yourself.
It’s okay to admit that you need assistance, whether it’s from a colleague, a friend, or a mentor. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help when you need it.
The key is to remember that the One Big Thing is not about doing more but about doing less. It’s about focusing on the things that matter most and dedicating your time and energy to them. By doing so, you’ll be able to achieve your goals and lead a more fulfilling life.
The One Big Thing helped me go from feeling a false sense of contentment to clearly seeing the progress I’m making towards my goals.
Over the last few days, I identified my One Big Thing and made it my top priority for the day. I dedicated a block of intentional time to it every day, and I set specific rules to help me stay focused during my tasks.
And you know what? It worked.
By focusing on my One Big Thing, I infused a sense of purpose into my work and moved forward with contentment and fulfilment.
The One Big Thing principle is not limited to work-related goals only. It can be applied to any area of your life where you want to make progress and achieve success.
For example, your One Big Thing could be a personal project, a health goal, a relationship goal, or a financial goal. The important thing is to identify the one thing that matters most to you and dedicate your time and energy to it.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that the One Big Thing doesn’t necessarily have to be a long-term goal. It can also be a short-term task or project that you’ve been putting off. By identifying and completing these smaller “One Big Things”, you can build momentum and confidence to tackle bigger goals in the future.
The One Big Thing Challenge
If you can relate to this and want to leverage the One Big Thing Principle, here’s a challenge for you:
Over the next couple of days, use this “One Big Thing” method to plan your days. Here’s a 3-step effective instruction for you:
- Identify your One Big Thing and dedicate a block of intentional time to it every day. Do not find more time but carve out an intentional block of time for that One Big Thing every day.
- Set up your calendar to reflect your priorities. Write down the big, medium and small tasks you’ll focus on. Set a reminder for this that repeats each day.
- Grab a journal and create specific rules to help you stay focused during your tasks. Perhaps make a rule like “no phone during work hours”, “no social media”, “dedicate the first hour of the day to your One Big Thing” or “play Jazz music”. You can update these rules during the challenge.
So, what’s your One Big Thing?
What is the one thing you’ve been putting off, the thing you feel you were meant to do?
Identify it, prioritize it, and dedicate your time and energy to it.
You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make when you focus on the things that truly matter.
And don’t worry if you feel like you’re not making progress as quickly as you’d like. Change takes time, and it’s important to be patient with yourself. Celebrate small wins and remember that every step forward, no matter how small, is still progress.
