I said I would write. So I’m writing.
I read a book last year that prescribed sticking to habits that will eventually define you as the person you want to be. That book has changed my perspective, and I realize that I am the sum total of my habits. I can talk about the importance of exercise, but until I do it every day, it’s not really who I am. Unfortunately, I haven’t stuck with everything I’ve wanted to do. And now I’m going to have to add writing to the list….unless I can publish this tonight!
As Greg McKeown writes in his book, Essentialism, “A popular idea in Silicon Valley is that done is better than perfect.” I think that’s my new mantra.
You see, life has a funny way of getting in the way of habits.
Greg McKeown’s premise in Essentialism is simple. Find what is most essential in your life, and pursue those one or two goals with laser focus. Stop being busy just for the sake of “getting things done.”
For me, this is easier said than done. In my day, there are dozens of fires to put out all day long. I homeschool, work from home, take care of my house and my family, my bills, and myself. (I’ll save my homeschooling guilt for another post. There’s more than enough material there.) Any one of those things would be enough in one day – put them all together and nothing gets done. And fast.
When I am on my computer, my kids come into my office about 15 times an hour asking me to referee disagreements (who am I kidding – more like brawls), check work, get them a snack, or who knows what. As I type this, my daughter is literally singing the chorus to Let It Go in my ear to get my attention. I’m pretty sure my sons are staging a WWE match just outside my door. You get the idea.
I tried to focus on writing my blog this week, but always found something more pressing to do – laundry, menu planning, cleaning. Oh, the cleaning.
When I finally sit down at the computer, I can’t help myself from pulling up Facebook, checking my email or checking my WhatsApp. When my girls chat is on fire over the latest drama, I can’t help but jump in. I need to respond.
What McKeown writes is that is that you need to focus – not on multiple things at a time, but the most important thing. He writes, “A Nonessentialist approaches every trade-off by asking, “How can I do both?” Essentialists ask the tougher but ultimately more liberating question, “Which problem do I want?” An Essentialist makes trade-offs deliberately.”
Bring all your attention to the task that matters. It doesn’t need to be how you approach everything all the time. Laundry waits for no one, of course. But I will try this tactic when I am doing something that matters to me. What’s interesting is that when I really focus, tasks become easier. I’m not thinking about the things on the periphery, but turning all my attention to the task at hand, whether that be lesson planning for the week or spending an hour with my kids or going for a run.
“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”
After all, done is better than perfect. (hits Publish)