Lately, I’ve been feeling increasingly overwhelmed by my ever-growing to-do list. This book highlights the simple, but unrecognised, fact that there is now more to do than is possible for human beings, both at home and work, no matter how eicient we are. For example, how many of us start and end each day by reading and replying to messages because we think we should? We try hard to manage our time better but it doesn’t help, because the volume of input is increasing, but the time available stays the same. Our busyness also crowds out time to think and be creative.
Being busy is addictive – the regular dopamine hit of constantly checking our phones, clearing emails, multitasking, being switched ‘on’ at all times and cramming things in. It also has ‘benefits’, says Crabbe. It’s easier because it means we don’t have to make tough choffices between what to do or do well, and what not to do or be sloppier about. It means we can avoid doing the diicult but meaningful things that will make the most diference to our lives and careers.
Crabbe proposes that we need a new approach. Step one is to let go – to accept that we can no longer control the low of input, and that will not change, however hard we try. Then we need to switch our focus to our output, making strategic choffices about how we use our attention, and limited time, for maximum impact; to reconnect with our strengths and values, and what matters most. It’s simple but not always easy, so this book has many ideas, stories and research evidence to help us make the change and feel happier, rather than just busy.