Doing Less By Law, But Achieving Better

“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.”

– Steve Jobs

“I’m realising how much time I’ve been wasting.”

So said my client some weeks after I’d asked them this question:

If there was a new law that said you had to work half the hours you do currently in your week BUT you still have to get the same results expected in your WORK as now, what would you change or do differently?

Some examples of how myself and others have answered the question:

• Less time on email
• More time talking with the top 20% of clients
• Less micro-managing
• All notifications off while working
• Less time looking at my phone
• Taking email off my phone
• Less time on social media
• Top priority work to be done in the first hours of the day
• When it comes to your actions, more delegation, automation and elimination
• Less meetings – and for the ones that are important, better focus.
• More planning and prioritisation, not less – and ripple this into your lieutenants.
• Stop letting people jump into my diary.
• More focus on my health and fitness – delivers better energy, clarity and focus.
• More time clarifying outcomes and expectations with my team
• More time ‘strategically thinking’
• More time in my development – inner especially
• Stop over-thinking
• More time invested in the 4 dimensions: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spirit/Energy.

For most it takes a crisis to wake up to what’s important and what’s not. But why wait for a crisis?

The truth is, the most effective people in any field are those who continually refine and focus their efforts on what truly matters, stripping away the noise and clutter that can so easily consume our time and energy. This isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing better by doing less.

This week, perhaps take some time to consider the above question yourself and identify your answers. In addition, maybe consider these also:

1. What activities or tasks are consuming your time without adding significant value?
2. How can you refocus your efforts on the 20% of activities that yield 80% of your results?
3. If you were to work half the hours you do now, what changes would you make to create better outcomes?

Time is our most precious resource, and once it’s spent, we can’t get it back.

Let’s ensure we’re investing it wisely.

Best,

Shane

PS – My client above was amazed by how much leverage he created from taking action on the answers to the above question. So much so that he decided to focus it on his personal life also i.e. where the word WORK is exchange it for the word LIFE. He credits it starting a major transformation in the quality of his health, peace of mind, relationships and sense of life purpose.

The Inner Edge Podcast – Most Recent Episode:

Ep 192: Use Thought More Than It Uses You

Listen on my website here or on all major podcasting platforms.

Up Your Game: Have you checked out my online academy? It has a range of products that will help you raise your game in all areas. More details here.