A Perfectionist is chasing an illusion it doesn't exist in business

Ruble Chandy
Why Selective Laziness is the Key to Success in Business
Today, we’re going to dive into a concept that might seem counterintuitive at first but is a powerful tool for success in business – selective laziness. By the end of this blog, you’ll understand what selective laziness is, how to implement it in your daily life, and why it can be the key to achieving meaningful and financially rewarding results.
What is Selective Laziness?
Let’s start by defining selective laziness. In a world filled with constant distractions and a never-ending stream of tasks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus on what truly matters. Selective laziness is the practice of intentionally being “lazy” about tasks that are neither important nor useful. It involves channeling your energy and attention toward actions that yield meaningful and financial rewards.
We humans tend to be creatures of habit and often default to our habitual actions. This bias towards habitual behavior can hinder our ability to prioritize tasks effectively. Selective laziness challenges this bias and encourages us to question which actions truly deserve our time and effort.
How to Embrace Selective Laziness
Now, you might be wondering, “How do I start practicing selective laziness?” It begins with a simple exercise: creating a to-do list diet. This diet involves identifying and eliminating tasks that don’t contribute significantly to your personal or business goals.
Start by listing ten things you want to achieve in your personal life and ten in your business life. If you work for someone else, imagine yourself as the CEO of your job. Now, cross out eight items from both lists, leaving you with only one personal and one business task.
The remaining eighteen tasks are now postponed. You’re deliberately choosing to be “lazy” about them, but remember, it’s a strategic form of laziness. Instead of spreading yourself thin across numerous tasks, you’re focusing your efforts where they matter most.
Calculating Financial Reward
One of the keys to mastering selective laziness is determining what tasks are financially rewarding. To do this, you need to calculate the value of your time. If you’re a CEO of a $10 million business, your time is incredibly valuable. In this case, any task that doesn’t generate at least $3,000 in value should be considered a waste of your time.
As your business grows, your hourly rate increases. For a $100 million CEO, it’s $30,000. Keep in mind that these calculations apply to business-related tasks. You should still allocate time for personal health, family, and relaxation without tying them to a financial return.
Prioritizing Key Business Activities
In your business life, focus on tasks that truly matter. These include:
These are your “big rocks,” and they deserve your utmost attention. Delegate or eliminate tasks that fall below your financial reward threshold. Remember, it’s about working smarter, not harder.
Efficiency and Time Management
Efficiency is another vital aspect of selective laziness. Schedule five-minute meetings to minimize chit-chat and stay focused on the task at hand. Avoid checking emails first thing in the morning, and prioritize your most important work.
Think of your day as filling a jar with big rocks, small rocks, pebbles, and sand. Put the big rocks in first (your most important tasks), then the smaller rocks, pebbles, and finally the sand. This ensures you prioritize the most critical tasks and don’t waste time on less valuable activities.
Summary
Selective laziness might sound unconventional, but it’s a powerful strategy for success in both personal and business life. By intentionally “postponing” tasks that don’t contribute significantly to your goals, you free up time and mental energy to focus on what truly matters.
Remember to calculate your hourly rate based on your business’s size and prioritize tasks that meet or exceed that rate. Your goal is to work efficiently, avoid distractions, and concentrate your efforts on tasks that lead to financial success.
In a world filled with distractions, selective laziness is your secret weapon to achieving meaningful and financially rewarding results in business and life. Embrace it, and you’ll find yourself on the path to greater success and fulfillment.
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A Perfectionist is chasing an illusion it doesn't exist in business
Ruble Chandy