When people start out chasing their dreams, most of them do it passionately and full of motivation, at least for a while, but often when the first thrill of excitement is waning and things get hard the motivation drops. At that point there are people who give up and there are people who push through and get things done.
The latter are willing to achieve their goal no matter what. They seem to become the successful and happy people, but as usual nothing is what it seems. Because a lot of those people become hooked to the productivity of success and vice versa.
They get absorbed and swallowed by the need for being productive. Productivity becomes number one on their list and everything else second. And “second” often means it doesn’t get on the list at all, because productivity always keeps calling first.
The problem is that productivity never stops. If you reached your goal there will always be a next goal, and a next, and a next. Life changes and you’re wishes for where you want to be, what you want to get done, and what you want to achieve will always carry on.
The tricky and often unnoticed part is that life doesn’t wait for you. It just slips by. Before you know it you’ll be 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70. And have you then really enjoyed life to the fullest?
Have you made sure you that you took some time to relax, and listen to the birds sing, enjoyed a conversation with your kids, your partner and friends each and every day?
Have you enjoyed running, cycling, yoga or working out? Meditating in silence, playing guitar or piano? Did you take the time to do some of those things each week? Or have you been mainly productive to achieve more financial success each and everyday?
Of course, money is important to a certain degree. You need to be able to support yourself and your family. Some luxury is nice and not necessarily a bad thing, but when making money for luxury gets in the way of living fully and appreciating the little things in life each and every day, you are letting life slip through your fingers.
You keep thinking you’re doing it to secure your future, but you’ll never reach your future. It’s always ahead, and it will always feel that way. At the same time your future is passing you by as you keep being productive. More of your future will be left behind in the past and you can’t retrieve it.
So how do you reach your goals without becoming a slave of productivity while keep enjoying the good things in life?
First, start to make up a list of the things you love most in life. Decide from now on that these things become your number one priority! From those ten things you choose 5 that you’re going to implement into your life on a daily and weekly basis. These are the things you’re going to do first. Productivity becomes second.
Now write down the 10 things that you love doing most:
1 -……… 6 -………
2 -……… 7 -………
3 -……… 8 -………
4 -……… 9 -………
5 -……… 10 -……..
Now you know what you love to do most and have decided to implement these enjoyable things into your daily life, you can focus on your destination and how to reach that by focusing on less is more.
So what is your destination? Where do you want to be, what do you want to achieve and what is your biggest passion? Write down your ultimate picture of how you want to live and what you want to do.
Next, you’re going to think of how you are going to achieve that destination by taking the “Less is More Way”. It’s a path that will offer you more by doing less at the same time. So don’t think in the most efficient way or competitive way. This is not about being busy, it’s about being less busy. You have to think of a way where you will accomplish a lot in the most effective way, doing only the absolute necessary. You want the best outcome, with the least amount of effort. Learn to think outside of the box!
Look for situations that will offer you more for less. Which activities will cost you less energy and give you more and better results? Which job, product or service will help, provide, benefit, support and grow, but not keep you occupied and rob you from all your free time? Which path produces high quality and great progress, without working harder or faster? Take the time to think. There’s always a “Less is More Way”
Finally take small and easy steps that set you on your “Less is More Way”. Think about two or three small and actionable steps and write them down. They must be the most effective and least workable steps that gets the most important thing done. Powerful steps that speaks to your “Less is More Way” and gets you towards your destination.
Now set this thing in motion and keep thinking and acting “Less is More” so you can concentrate more on doing the things you love most.
Have a great one!
Hi Klaus,
I love this post.
You motivate me to take the right actions and not just for the sake of being productive.
Thanks!
Hi Craig,
That’s exactly what I want to bring across. “Less is More” can be so powerful. First think before you act.
Thanks for you comment.
Best,
Klaus