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Getting Past Burnout Busywork And The Myth Of Total Efficiency

Ryan Foster

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Published in Slack: Getting Past Burnout Busywork And The Myth Of Total Efficiency

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The Myth Of Total Efficiency

Many of us strive to be totally efficient in our work and personal lives. We think that if we can just be more organized, more productive, and more efficient, we'll be able to accomplish everything we want and have more time for the things we love.

Slack: Getting Past Burnout, Busywork, and the Myth of Total Efficiency

by Tom DeMarco

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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But the truth is, total efficiency is a myth. There will always be more to do than we can possibly get done. And if we try to be totally efficient, we'll only end up feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and burned out.

So what's the answer? How can we get past burnout busywork and still be productive?

Focus On What's Important

The first step is to focus on what's important. What are the most important things that you need to accomplish? What are the things that will make the biggest difference in your life?

Once you know what's important, you can start to prioritize your work and focus on the things that matter most. This will help you to avoid getting bogged down in busywork and wasting your time on things that don't matter.

Set Realistic Goals

Another important step is to set realistic goals. Don't try to do too much at once. If you set yourself up for failure, you're more likely to get discouraged and give up.

Instead, break down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make them seem less daunting and more achievable. And as you make progress, you'll be more motivated to keep going.

Take Breaks

It's also important to take breaks throughout the day. Get up and move around every hour or so, and take a few minutes to relax and clear your head. This will help you to stay focused and avoid burnout.

Delegate

If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to delegate some of your work to others. This can free up your time so that you can focus on the most important things.

Just be sure to choose the right people to delegate to. Make sure they're competent and reliable, and that they understand your expectations.

Say No

One of the hardest things to do is to say no to new projects or commitments. But it's important to learn to say no if you want to avoid burnout.

If you're already feeling overwhelmed, saying no to new commitments is essential. It's better to focus on the things that you're already committed to and do them well.

Take Care Of Yourself

Finally, it's important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. These things will help you to stay healthy and energized, and they'll make it less likely that you'll burn out.

Burnout busywork is a common problem, but it's one that can be overcome. By following the tips in this article, you can get past burnout busywork and still be productive. So focus on what's important, set realistic goals, take breaks, delegate, say no, and take care of yourself. And remember, total efficiency is a myth. So don't strive for it. Instead, focus on being productive and efficient in a way that works for you.

Slack: Getting Past Burnout, Busywork, and the Myth of Total Efficiency

by Tom DeMarco

4.3 out of 5