Do Less If You Want To Be More Productive

Are you feeling overworked? Let me share a counterintuitive yet incredibly effective strategy that has transformed my productivity. If you’re juggling work, family, and personal goals, and finding it hard to keep up, this advice is for you.

I’ve discovered that stepping away from my desk for just 20 minutes, especially during overwhelming moments, allows me to return with renewed energy and focus. In my video, I’ll explain how doing less can help you accomplish more and why taking this simple action can unlock your productivity potential.

Transcription

If you’re feeling overworked, then here’s how doing less can actually make you more productive. Lots of people are reporting to me, especially this time of year, how busy they’re feeling, how overworked they’re feeling.

It might be the kids going back to school, doing the day job, trying to get more leads in, trying to have some free time, get some sleep, do some exercise remember those things and the counterintuitive strategy that works for me every time I’m feeling overwhelmed is to leave your desk for a 20-minute walk.

Now, I know when you’re feeling busy, the last thing you want to do is actually to feel like you’re doing less. You want to just finish that email you just want to have that quick call, you want to finish that document, get that proposal out, whatever it might be and that’s the trap we fall into because the more you work, the more stressed you feel, the more overwhelmed you feel, and actually the less productive you are by removing yourself from your desk at those points when you are feeling most busy.

I promise you, it gives you time to reflect, it gives you time to think about that email it gives you time to feed the ducks or whatever you want to be doing, gives you time to read audiobooks. That’s what I do and when you return back to your desk, whether it’s 20 minutes, 30 minutes, you are so much more refreshed, you’re so much more productive, you’re ready to go.

You’ve had a bit more thinking time and even though it sounds counterintuitive, you will get so much more done because you left your desk and you got outside. You don’t need to believe me, but please just give it a go for the next 5 days and let me know how you get on. I’m off for a walk now.

Key Takeaways

• Stepping Away Reduces Stress: Leaving your desk during busy moments gives your mind a chance to decompress, breaking the cycle of stress and overwhelm.
• Improved Mental Clarity: A short walk provides thinking space to reflect on tasks, resolve challenges, and approach work with fresh ideas.
• Recharges Creativity: Being outdoors, even briefly, stimulates creativity, allowing you to solve problems more effectively than pushing through mental fatigue.
• Counterintuitive Productivity Boost: Although it feels like you’re losing time, stepping away can help you complete tasks faster and with higher quality upon return.
• Practical Implementation: Commit to a 20-minute break daily for the next five days. You’ll notice a tangible improvement in your productivity and well-being.

The Wrap-Up

Feeling overwhelmed can lead to diminishing returns on your efforts. By taking a simple 20 minute walk, you’ll recharge, refocus, and achieve more with less stress. It might feel counterproductive at first, but the results speak for themselves. Try it for a week and share your experiences with me.

If you’d like to explore this and other productivity strategies further, book a free 45-minute coaching session with me. Together, we can tackle your unique challenges and uncover actionable steps to take your business and life to the next level.