Grind less, live more... but how?

It’s all well and good to advise people to reduce grind, but simply letting go can be terrifying

Photo by Anthony Young on Unsplash

Reducing grind can feel like a utopian state where people live who don’t have actual deadlines. But in the world I live in, there are deadlines, expectations, targets and KPI’s. There is always something needing more time or attention; or we’ve committed to a project that we actually care about and grinding through can be the only way to get things down.

But, if lowering our stress and caring for ourselves is the goal here - then reducing the hours and feeling of grind is essential.

So how do we create a work rhythm that’s sustainable and uplifting, while still achieving in our role?

It’s been proven time again and again that productivity is not affected when we take time to pause. In fact, taking a break to look at the sky or move our body will actually improve our productivity when we return. Though acknowledging that I need to take that break is often the hardest step.

One way that I’ve identified that I can reduce my grind is to stop pushing.

I’ve been pushing myself to do better/do more/achieve more for most of my schooling and working life. To be really frank with you at times it’s led me to a dark place. It’s also not been a time when I’ve been producing my best work.

In recent times, I’ve come to realise that when I am doing my best work is when I’m living authentically and creating work that is meaningful to me. I don’t need to push. The times that I’m pushing myself to achieve something are the times when I just can’t seem to get anything finished. When I stop and reflect that if maybe I’d just let go sooner, the result might have been different at the time.

So today I implore you to consider - what is the project/deadline/budget/opportunity that you’re pushing for that’s feeling hard. Can you let it go? Even if just for day or a few hours. Place it down and catch your breath by going for walk, having a coffee with a friend or even doing some yoga or meditation.

When you do go back to it - reflect on what benefits that time off gave you.

Additionally, if you’re considering your direction in life at the moment. Have you taken a moment to consider not just the things you have done, but the things that came easy. Particularly things that came easy to you because you love doing them, not just because you’ve done them many times before.

Imagine a life that is just easier, and let’s make it happen together.