It seems it is always popular to post and talk about doing more in the New Year. I think this is a big mistake. Doing less is the key to achieving more.
Start With Less
I’m not setting a bunch of goals for myself this year. Instead, I am only setting one goal. I asked myself, if at the end of the year if I could only accomplish one thing, what would it be? I would start with less goals to accomplish the things that really matter.
Some goals we set for ourselves are about getting into healthy habits and well-balanced routines. These are things we are always going to need to focus on. I have things I would like to accomplish in those areas as well. I just don’t want to focus on those things to the point that I don’t achieve my “one thing.” Our “one thing” is the goal we would rather see completed more than anything else.
Busy Doing Nothing
Sometimes we can get anxious about moving towards the things that mean the most to us. The higher stakes can make the fear of failure or rejection seem more real. This leads us to begin doing things that keep us busy, but don’t necessarily accomplish our goal. It gives us a false sense of accomplishment. We are doing good things, just not the “one thing” we need to be doing.
This is the equivalent to a college student cleaning his or her room the night before a big test. Cleaning your room is good, but it’s not going to help you ace that test.
What Is Your One Thing?
If you could only accomplish one thing this year, what would it be? I know there are a lot of good things you can do. Hopefully, you will do those as well. But what is the one dream, ambition, or goal you have been meaning to start or finish? What is the one thing you don’t want to see the year ending without having accomplished?
For me, it is publishing the book I have been working on for years. I believe in my book, and know it is going to be a huge help to many. My “one thing” is to publish this book. It’s scary. I am afraid things may not work out as I see them. Sometimes, I feel stuck. I have decided though, that I am going to keep taking steps each day until I see my “one thing” become a reality.
So, what do you think? Is doing less the best way to acheive more? Agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear what your “one thing” is or a good book recommendation on this topic.