Doing Less May Not Look Like You Think

Can we talk about doing less?

I know, I know. It sounds unrealistic. I thought the same thing too... 

But I have 3 young kids and work full-time. I have coaching clients and content deadlines. I have a house full of projects, meals to plan, laundry to fold, bills to pay, and someone who always needs my attention.

How on earth do I do less when I have so many responsibilities?

Maybe you’re asking the same question. Or maybe you’re asking:

• Would I have to give up something on my schedule or my to-do list?

• Do I have to become a minimalist?

• Can you give me an example, because I don’t know how this is possible for me?

What if doing less is not about deleting things from your life, but rather doing them in a way that feels easier, faster, lighter? 

It’s a concept that Kate Northrup discusses in her amazing book Do Less. The concept of doing projects, tasks, meetings, or chores when your results will be the most optimal.

Think about the last time you did something you were motivated to do. The task was easier and seemed to go by quickly, right? When you’re rested, hydrated, have a plan, or are in the right space of mind, you don’t have the resistance or slow-downs that you might have otherwise.

You get more done in less time.

That’s part of doing less.

The other part is what you would guess… actually doing less. It’s saying no. It’s taking things off your to-do list. It’s letting go of expectations. It’s not caring what others think or what you think you should do.

DOING LESS, IN ACTION

So what does that actually look like? Let me give you a few examples from my own life as I’ve been experimenting with doing less. Maybe one of these will spark an idea for you.

1. Meal Planning

I don’t love it, but my family has to eat and the only way I’ve found to avoid eating out every single night is to make a meal plan in advance. For the last 6 months, I’ve been creating a monthly meal plan instead of a weekly one. For me, meal planning takes a lot of mental energy and decision-making power. Reducing the number of times I have to harness that brain power and get into the right frame of mind is a huge win for me. Planning for the entire month means I only have to do it 12 times a year as opposed to 52! Talk about doing less. 

2. Three to Five Tasks Each Day

When it comes to work, I’ve found that I’m much more productive when I narrow down everything I have to do to just 3-5 things per day. On a good day, I do more than that. But at the very least I’m doing the things that HAVE to get done and I’m leaving work feeling like I accomplished what I set out to do. I’m doing less, but what I am doing is much more effective.

3. Evenings are for Rest

I used to try to tackle a project - home or business - in the evenings after the kids went to bed. After my 3rd baby was born, I changed my evening priorities. I finally realized that I rarely do my best work at night and sleep is more important. So I stopped doing anything other than tidying up the kitchen and folding a load of laundry while watching a show. Other than that, I’m either reading a book, doing a puzzle, or I’m going to bed. THAT’s the best use of my time.

4. Limiting "Adventures"

I admit that sometimes it can be easier to manage your kids when you get them out of the house. But planning adventures and activities every weekend can also be exhausting. I much prefer weekends around the house where our “adventures” are going for a neighborhood walk, taking care of our plants, or having a picnic lunch outside. We’re still doing things, having fun, and staying entertained, we’re just doing it in a more relaxed way. And when we choose to “adventure”, our outings are more meaningful because they’re more purposeful. This practice of doing less has brought us closer as a family and helped me feel so much more rested come Monday.


A SLOW AND DELIBERATE PROCESS

Doing less is about so much more than removing things from your day-to-day life. It’s about listening to yourself, noticing your energy, being creative, and being present. Even if it’s one thing that you decide to streamline to buy you 5 minutes of “white space”, it’s worth it.

Making a change in your life like doing less is a slow and deliberate process. It’s not something that you can change overnight because so much of it comes from changing the way you think about your world.

Maybe reading Kate Northrup’s book will be your first step. Maybe taking an idea from the list above will be. Or maybe just saying no to something this week will be enough to make you think about what else you can do less of.

You don't have to overhaul everything. Start with just one thing.

Here’s to doing things differently and in a way that allows us to actually do less and be more present.