🎯 Work Smart Wednesday - November 29, 2023
How I use even-over statements to clarify my priorities, why I am not working today, and a quote on happiness
Work Smart Wednesday
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In these emails I will share with you 3 things to help you work smarter in 3 minutes or less. That leaves you with 10,077 more minutes to conquer your goals this week.
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1. 📝 How I use even over statements to clarify my priorities
How do you decide what to do when every option seems like a good option?
I use even-over statements.
Would you rather have $1m or a new bicycle? That seems fairly straightforward.
Should you work on hiring a new salesperson or redesigning your sales process? Now, that could be a difficult choice to make.
Meet "even over" statements.
They force you to take a principled (and explicit) stance on your priorities.
Some examples of even-over statements:
- Systems design EVEN over quick fixes with new hires (Efficiency through simplicity)
- Employee development EVEN over immediate productivity (Sustainable advantage)
- Excellent customer service EVEN over immediate profit margins (Long-term focus)
- Radical candor EVEN over team harmony (Culture)
- Work-life balance EVEN over revenue (Employee well-being)
Knowing what you prioritise even over something else that seems like it should be worthwhile is a powerful way to simplify decision making and clarify your priorities.
What even-over statements will you employ?
I would love to see your examples. Reply to this email or comment below.
2. 🏖️ Why I am not working today
I am not working today or tomorrow. Today is my birthday. This email you are reading was written and scheduled weeks ago.
I will also not be working at all between 22nd December and 3rd January.
I don’t work on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.
On Tuesday and Friday, I play badminton from 13:00-15:30. Non-negotiable.
I check email just once or twice per week.
Over the last two years, I have worked an average of 10 hours per week.
I went to Kazakhstan for almost 4 weeks over September/October for a friend’s wedding (although I did do some work during those 4 weeks).
If I am ill, I take as long as I need to recover. If my friend or family needs me, I reschedule things and take the time off needed to fully support them.
Why am I telling you this?
While I do regularly take time off, I work hard to ensure there is little to no interruption in my service delivery. I also make sure to communicate my availability.
Working long hours is not the same as working hard.
I employ systems to keep things running smoothly across both of my businesses, one of which is almost entirely hands-off now.
We are in the run up to the holiday period. Every year I see entrepreneurs fail to take sufficient time off and regret it - they don’t spend enough time with loved ones, they don’t rest and recharge, and they don’t give themselves time to ruminate on their current situation (which unlocks subconscious solutions for them!).
I truly believe that taking time off is one of the most productive things you can do as an entrepreneur. As I covered in one of my earlier editions of Work Smart Wednesday, resting is not a reward for success. It’s a prerequisite for performance.
If you can’t take time off from your business without it breaking, you don’t have a business, you have a job.
Book the time off now. Tell your clients, they won’t mind.
3. 💡 Quote I'm pondering
“Happiness isn't something you find, it's something you create” - from the film Late Spring, 1949, directed by Yasujuro Ozu
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That's it! I can't wait to hear what you think. What did you find most useful? What do you want more or less of? Reply to this email now and let me know
Also, if you have anything interesting to share, I want to know about it😊
Have a great week,
John
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