Do Less, Better: The Art of Focused Work

The 1st draft of my second book is due at the end of the month.

I have 9 keynotes/presentations to prepare for in the next few months.

And all the other stuff that comes from running your own business.

So why the hell was I paddle boarding in the middle of the afternoon multiple times this week?

1st, because I take every afternoon off.

2nd, the conditions were sublime, and the water was calling to me.

3rd is a little deeper.

When I worked in the corporate world, especially at the beginning of my career, 12-hour days were the norm.

I had one setting, and it was, to quote Spinal Tap, “11.”

I would work until no fuel was left in the tank, then I’d get out and start pushing.

I would keep my head down, skip meals, and hold my pee until it hurt all to get “ahead.”

Ahead of what, I’m not sure.

It was a terrible process and one that was untenable.

I waited for the weekend so I could unwind (get stupefying drunk) and spend all that hard-earned money on a lifestyle that was ultimately unfulfilling yet imprisoning at the same time.