According to Deloitte’s workplace burnout survey, 77% of employees feel burned out at their current job. The paradox? Those who do less often achieve more.
Warren Buffett’s famous “2-List” strategy crystallizes this concept. He advises his people to focus exclusively on the top five priorities, treating everything else as a strict “avoid-at-all-costs” list.
But here’s what’s fascinating: Harvard Business Review found that high performers typically say no to 57% more requests than their average-performing counterparts. They don’t just manage time – they protect it fiercely.
Think of your energy like venture capital. Every ‘yes’ is an investment. Each commitment dilutes your portfolio. The most successful leaders understand this equation: Less scatter equals more impact.
Google’s “20% time” policy didn’t work because it added another commitment – it worked because it forced engineers to prioritize the other 80% ruthlessly.
Your capacity isn’t measured by how much you can carry but by how precisely you can choose what not to have.
Next time someone asks for your time, consider this: Every yes costs twice – once in the time it takes, and once in the focus it steals.
The most potent skill isn’t managing multiple tasks – it’s mastering the art of meaningful subtraction.
