2x2: The danger of being overly busy

Hello! Shawn here. And welcome to this week’s edition of the 2x2 Newsletter. Your premier Friday email for doing the important work that matters while creating and protecting your free time to enjoy life. I’m so glad you’re here. Check this out 1: [Writing to Think]( Shane Parrish: “one of the ways we learn to think for ourselves is to write out our thoughts.” 2: [One of John Mayer’s rule for life]( wish for less time.” Something to think about 1: It takes effort to say YES (but YES is the whole point)Why is so much of the mainstream productivity / time management advice about what NOT to do? Don’t sleep in, don’t check your phone in the morning, don’t binge watch Netflix, don’t keep your phone next to your bed, don’t check email before lunch, etc… The choices you and I make about how we spend our time should be about what we are saying YES to. Here’s the catch: knowing what we want is a lot more difficult to figure out. It’s easier (and more dramatic) to focus on what to avoid than it is to take the time to figure out what to embrace. In fact, the whole reason we say NO to some of those things is so we can actually say YES to what we really want to do. As in: I am not going to check my email before lunch because I would rather spend that time writing. If you don’t check email in the morning, that doesn’t mean you’re a productive person. It’s what you do with that time instead — what you choose to say YES to during that time — that makes you productive or not. (Side note, if you want the “easy mode”, step-by-step version for how to know exacctly what to say YES to, then [this is what you need](.) 2: Why is an overly busy life (and business) so dangerous?This quote from Greg McKeown’s book: “If you believe being overly busy and overextended is evidence of productivity, then you probably believe that creating space to explore, think, and reflect should be kept to a minimum.” ☝️ I love thinking about this in context to my business... To reframe it: If you believe that having an organization that is overly busy and overextended is evidence of productivity and profitability, then you probably believe that creating space for you and your team to explore, think, and reflect should be kept to a minimum. * * * — Shawn P.S. If you’re interested in bringing some calm and clarity to your agency or consulting practice, so you run your business on a part-time schedule, hit reply and let me know. The next small group coaching program I’m personally leading will be in May and spots are very limited.  👋 Whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways I can help you: 1: [Start with the]([free Focus Assessment]( to get your personalized roadmap to eliminate busywork, procrastination, and burnout. 2: Join 3,500 creative professionals who have declared their goals and reset their schedule to do more of the important work that matters. Get instant access to the [Focus Course](. 3: [Join our growing Membership community]( and get your all-access pass to our entire course library along with weekly accountability and ongoing workshops. (Recommended.) 4: Business Owners: Hit reply if you’re interested in running your full-time business on part-time hours.  [In-Depth App Training for Power Users]( To unsubscribe, click [here](. Blanc Media, 714 Main St., Grandview, MO 64030, United States