Be The One Who Does Less

The temptation to optimize every second of our day is ever-present. Constantly scheduling and juggling tasks may seem like the key to efficiency, but in reality, it could be robbing you of the richness inherent in the tasks at hand. The allure of multitasking often overshadows the importance of savoring the present moment.

For instance, when you are doing mundane chores - blowing leaves, cooking meals, washing dishes, mopping the floor, making the bed, cleaning the counters, walking your pet. These routine activities become opportunities to engage fully with the present. 

Instead of drowning out the experience with music, audiobooks, or calls, relish the simplicity of the moment. Feel the warmth of water on your hands, sense each step as you walk around your neighborhood, smell the ingredients as they sizzle, pay attention to the subtle movements of your body, and the current of thoughts in your mind.

In these moments lies a simple, yet profound joy.

The paradox of over-optimization is that it promises more productivity but often leaves you exhausted. As the saying goes, "jack of all trades, master of none." By spreading yourself too thin, you risk diluting the quality of your efforts in each task.

Be present and fully immersed in the task at hand, as the Yogis would advise. Lose yourself in the flow of an activity. Cultivate a habit of presence. Remember, the true value lies not just in completing the task but in the experience itself.

While multitasking may have its time and place, it should not become a default mode of living. Occasionally needing to combine activities is understandable and sometimes inevitable, but habitually doing it deprives you of the ability to appreciate the beauty of what’s in front of you.

So, the next time you find yourself reaching for the headphones or trying to squeeze one more task into an already crowded schedule, pause. Embrace the opportunity to fully engage with the task before you. Relish in the simplicity of the present moment. Find joy and fulfillment in the activity itself.

In a society obsessed with doing more, be the one who does less – but does it with mindfulness, with intention, and with an unwavering commitment to savoring every precious moment.

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