I am not much of a fan of books that talk about doing more by doing less. But Marc Lesser’s (coincidental last name?) new book has a different view on things. As I read Marc’s book, “Accomplishing More by Doing Less” I found that I had fallen victim to just being busy. Not really getting more done by being busy…just being busy. I have always been into Zen parables but I especially enjoy those books that can link the practice of Zen to business. Marc is a both a Zen student and a successful business person. I talked to Marc via email about the book:
What factors are playing into the “busyness” problem for business people?
Two factors that fuel the busyness epidemic are technology and our assumptions regarding time. The internet and all of its many uses (email, blogs, online purchases, newsfeeds, twitter, etc. etc.) and our ability to carry all this technology, and more, in our pockets in one factor in our sense of non-stop work and non-stop busyness. We can become addicted to checking our email and to staying connected. For the most part, I believe these activities give us a false, and comforting, sense of being in control. This desire for control takes us away from appreciating what we have been given, that we don’t control – our breath, our hearts, nature, and each other. Which, brings me to the second point: time.
Our crazy busyness is also fueled by our attempts to control time – to see time as linear, as something that can be saved or spent. The more we develop technology and the further we move away from natural rhythms and cycles, the more this false view of time is reinforced. We are all born and we will all die. Though we need to learn from the past and plan for the future, the real challenge, and gift is to learn to appreciate just this moment, this breath, this body and mind.
What exactly is the Less Manifesto you talk about?
The Less Manifesto consists of five core activities to reduce, habits or actions to do less of, in our work and lives: Fear, Assumptions, Distractions, Resistance, and Busyness. Sometimes to even notice these undermining behaviors, we need to slow down or create some other habits or routines – such as pausing during a busy day, a meditation practice, or taking some kind of retreat. The point is to find more meaning, more happiness, and greater productivity through understanding and changing these specific patterns and habits in our lives.
How can I possibly do less when my job and my family are screaming more, more, more?
Yes, this is like the carpenter asking – how can I stop to sharpen my tools when I have so much to do. This question also reminds me of the Mark Twain quote: “Having lost site of our goals, we redouble our efforts.” By doing less, by sharpening our tools, we are actually able to accomplish more with less effort.
I highly recommend this book and you should put it on your reading list.
