“Because most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’” — Marcus Aurelius
This writing is Certified Human
The Obstacle
Most of our days are spent doing things that feel urgent or important but are not.
We distract ourselves with emails, phone calls, text messages, and tasks that are easy to do. They make us feel productive while we avoid the important things.
The big things go unnoticed and undealt with while the little things take their place in line.
The little things will always stack up, leaving the important things to languish while our anxiety and frustration build.
Others around us rely on us to do the important things, and we might keep putting them off.
This does not help our relationships or reduce our stress.
The Gift and Opportunity
We can recognize the big things and make a list.
We can keep that list to just a few things, no more than five.
We can focus on the big things first and let the little things come as they will.
We can constantly monitor what we're doing, when we're doing it, and why. We can readjust to what's important and put what's urgent on the back burner.
When we do this, the people in our lives will know they can count on us to take care of the important things.
The big things won't create the same stress because we're no longer avoiding them.
We can then audit and do what's important instead of what feels productive and urgent.
The Practice of Self-Mastery
• Identify the essentials
• Keep the list short
• Do the big things first
• Audit what gets our attention
CHEAT CODE: IDENTIFY → LIMIT → DO → AUDIT
The Why
There are lots of little things in my life that need to get done, and the big things tend to take a back seat when I'm not paying attention.
Projects linger too long. Things get left undone.
I stay busy doing what feels useful and productive while consciously or unconsciously avoiding what's important.
This does not help my closest relationships or show the people who count on me that I am reliable.
It creates stress in my life because the things I know need to get done are still there in the background. They sit there waiting, growing, creating frustration, anxiety, and resentment.
When I audit my days, I can remind myself what needs to get done and what can wait.
Subscribe To The Daily Journal For An EMAIL To Start Your Day
Made For Mornings | Built For You | Delivered Daily
[https://www.beinghumanhealth.com/journal](https://www.beinghumanhealth.com/journal)
