The Epidemic of busy-ness

This week I was watching a documentary about students who need to take a drug called modafinil to help them concentrate to study!! Students used to take drugs to party, now they take drugs to give them focus. This made me so sad but not especially surprised.

Two years ago, I read a life changing book. Essentialism – the disciplined pursuit of less by Greg McKeown. In it, Management Guru, Peter Drucker talks about how we won’t be talking about how technology has changed the world in years to come but how the human condition has failed to adapt. There is too much “stuff”distracting us now.

For all the wonders that technology brings to our lives it has contributed to an epidemic of busy-ness. This busy-ness is paralysing us – our brains are in a spin, resulting in a rapid increase of mental health issues, and hitting our countries overall business productivity. According to the Office of National Statistics UK productivity is 30% lower than that of Germany and the US!

I’ve been practicing mindfulness since I read that book. It’s why I set up Mindfulness Marketing. Mindfulness for me is about practicing the art of seeing clearly so you can do the essential things in life. I treat my mind like any other muscle in my body. It is my biggest asset. I’ve seen a massive change in how I can now focus in the last six months and I know it’s because I’m learning how to use my brain better. I’m very clear on the difference between being busy and being productive! So, what do it do?

1.      I prioritise sleep. I’ve worked places where pulling a late night is a badge of honour. That may work for others, but it is a disaster for me. I prioritise sleep over pretty much everything. 7-8 hours. I avoid drinking, especially in the week, as it interferes with deep REM, even one glass. I nap at weekends, I have been known to nap in a work day. A 30 min nap might give me an amazing 3 hours power burst of work in the afternoon.  

2.      I plan my next day every night. What is the one task I must do before all others, the next three tasks that are important and then other things I must remember to do. I do them in that order. I also commit to health and wellbeing actions every day (HIIT, yoga, water, vegetables). God, I’m not perfect but I find if I don’t do this then I waft through my day. Sometimes I need a waft day, especially at weekends but I try and do this 6 times a week. There is a great app called 5 min journal, but I prefer a pen and paper.  

3.      Three or four times a day I work in “monk mode”. I switch off my email and focus 100% on a task without distraction. To start with I could only focus for 20/30 mins, now I can do 2/3 hours. I guess if something is urgent someone will call me or move off their bottom to find me.

4.      I move from place to place if I can’t focus. Sometimes moving from my desk to a coffee shop for my “monk mode” session really helps to complete a task.

5.      I don’t feel guilty about resting or doing nothing. Rest is protecting the asset.

6.      I apply consultancy billing principles to my tasks. i.e. this blog should take no more than 30 mins of my time, that report should take 4 hours. If I go over that I know I’m not focused and burning hours unnecessarily. I see a lot of burning hours in corporate environments.

7.      I read or listen to my Essentialism book every three months. Yes. Really! 

Most days I finish at 5.30 pm with a sense of achievement – tired by fulfilled. So, are you productive or are you overwhelmed? What could you do to strengthen your mental muscle?

(written in 20 mins in monk mode)