When the Dust Settles

When the calendar opens up, when the inbox slows down, when we finally have a moment to breathe—what do we do?

We plot. We scheme. We brainstorm.

What can we add? What new project should we start? What's the next big idea?

It's the default setting. More is better. More is progress. More is proof we're not wasting the gift of time.

But what if we used our downtime to subtract?

When you're not drowning, you can see clearly. You can spot the energy drains, the meaningless meetings, the projects that felt important six months ago but now just...exist.

The busy times blind us to the broken systems. When we're in survival mode, we don't question the process—we just push through it. We tell ourselves we'll fix it later, optimize it later, eliminate it later.

What are you still doing that you could eliminate entirely? What could you delegate to someone who'd actually enjoy it? What could you automate so it never touches your hands again?

The opportunity isn't in your next brilliant addition.

It's in your next brave subtraction.