“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” – Socrates

Don’t take on more tasks and responsibilities. You end up doing many things in a mediocre way. Instead, focus your time and energy on a few important things.

Many people stay busy because that's the norm for them, and they cannot imagine themselves sitting idly. To avoid the busyness trap:

• Focus on just doing three important things each day
• Have a one-hour electronic blackout period
• Recognize your “bias for action.”
• ...

• Procrastinating on tasks—both small, nagging ones and large, challenging ones
• Boring work that needs just to get done
• Responding to email and other messages while working
• Staying motivated and energized throughout the entire work day
• Focusing and finishing the...