We often think we need a clone in order to get everything done in this fast paced, busy world. But in reality, we need to do less, at the right time, to create balance within ourselves. I have found a trick that has helped me in achieving this goal.  

Sometime back, I became aware that I had created an unconscious pattern in my daily routine that caused me to run behind schedule resulting in additional, un-welcome stress. I’d start my day with an accumulation of what seemed to be simple, quick tasks. Things like, opening a personal email that I knew could wait or putting those last few dishes in the dishwasher or noticing that a plant needs to be watered.

The problem is that one little “quick task” leads to another “quick task” and before you know it, 10 or 15 minutes has passed. We justify doing these “quick tasks” because they need to be done, but all the while we’re annoyed by having to do them. Next thing you know, you’re running behind schedule and already feeling tense, even prior to starting your workday! In other words, this whole process sets the stage for a stressful day.

In my case, I’ve discovered that by making a conscious decision in suppressing the urge to do those “quick tasks”, however minimal they may seem in the moment, it ultimately serves me better to start my day with less stress. Amazingly, I’ve found that I’m more productive and I end up finding that extra 10 or 15 minutes at the end of the day as well as evading that un-necessary stress!