How to Work LESS
We are living in the midst of hustle culture – a lifestyle that associates success and respect with people that overwork themselves every possible minute of the day. I’m sure many of us can relate to the feeling of guilt we experience when we decide to take a day off or even just a break! In fact, more people than ever are associating their self-worth with their productivity.
Why do we even value hyper productivity, when in reality it just leads to stress and burnout, while impairing our sleep patterns, relationships, and overall mental and physical wellbeing? Not to mention, overworking actually hinders work efficiency, which ultimately defeats the purpose of working so hard in the first place!
People continue to put immense pressure on themselves, as they set unrealistically high expectations to do it all. This mindset has been heightened since the Covid-19 pandemic, as more people adjust to work from home routines, which has significantly blurred work-life boundaries. As the work from home lifestyle becomes the new foreseeable future, it’s important to recognize the importance of living mindfully to enjoy the present moment and checking in to strengthen connection with ourselves.
So, what are some things I can do, to do less?
· Schedule time for breaks! You will actually feel more refreshed and get more done!
· Self-monitor and ask yourself: what time in the day do I work best? When do I start to get distracted? Do I work better in shorter time intervals? You can optimize your work schedule when you are self-aware of your strengths.
· Set up a sleep schedule – try to get 7-8 hours of rest.
· Prioritize self-care. Always.
· Set work-life boundaries. This can consist of the little things – ex: stop checking work related emails in relaxation time!
· Say ‘no’ to the things that do not serve you or you simply don’t want to do.
· Spend time connecting with others
· Plan to do LESS, not more. What is the worst thing that could happen if you don’t finish that one extra task?
One of my favourite things to do is to create a ‘NOT to do list’
Write down:
1. The things out of my control…
2. The things that waste my time…
3. The things I feel obligated to do…
4. The things that I can ask someone else to help me with…
5. The things that don’t actually need to be done…
6. The things that are actually other people’s responsibility…
This reflection can help us to establish our priorities and recognize that we have the power to control our time. Let’s normalize the importance of recognizing and catering to our own needs, as we plan to do LESS.
By: Laura Clarke
Meet our Student Counsellor and author of this post, Laura Clarke!
Laura Clarke
BA., MACP (In Progress)
Student Counsellor
laura@reboundtotalhealth.ca
“I am honoured to be in a position to help others strengthen self-awareness, practice healthy coping skills and set goals to achieve personal growth and a fulfilling lifestyle.!”
