Doing less, enjoying more

My 2024 mantra

One week in and I seem to be doing pretty well with my new mantra of doing less, enjoying and celebrating more. I have a tendency to think I’ve not achieved enough, so all of this week I’ve tried really hard to focus in on the tasks completed and the good things to come out of each day. It’s felt pretty good actually. I’ve been having some great calls with clients, ones where you leave feeling good about the acknowledgement you are receiving from them on the work you are doing together. It doesn’t matter what you do, what level you are, people like praise. Well people like me anyway. I’ve also moved a few things forward for the brand and I’m pleased with that.

Ultimately, I want to try and do a little less in 2024. Not because I am being lazy, but because it’s necessary. I read a LinkedIn post this morning from a friend and colleague explaining that everyone she was speaking to at the end of 23 felt burnt-out. And I really agree, that was everyone I spoke to, also. I need to set an example to my team. Also, the beauty of being your own boss is nobody else is making you do anything, not really. So if I want to do a little bit less, then be it on my head.

[Credit: me pretending I am doing less sitting on the sofa. Definitely not the amount of make-up I wear at home usually. Not even my home.]

I also think doing less is good for business. There’s a reason why hugely successful businesses have huge teams. Because not everyone can focus on everything at all times. I am really trying to find with both businesses what are the things worth putting time into, and which are not. Of course there’s always an element of testing and seeing, but the beauty of both businesses being seven and four years old, is that we’re out of beginners phase and into our intermediary stage, of learning anyway, even if it’s not growth. We’ve maintained. And with reference to another post I read on LinkedIn this week (apparently this is my key source), from a founder who I admire, discussing the thousands of businesses liquidated last year, we should take a moment to acknowledge that we are are surviving and still have the potential to be thriving.

Who else is doing less in 2024? I’ll keep you posted on if my new mantra maintains.