There’s a strange kind of pressure that follows you when you feel like you should be getting more done. Even when you’re crossing things off a list, there’s still a background hum of not-enough. Like you’re always one task behind, one step off, one breath away from catching up.
I’ve lived in that place for a long time. And what I’ve learned is this: getting more done doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes, it comes from doing less. On purpose. With care.
Not less as in giving up. But less as in letting go of what doesn’t matter. Making space. Choosing one thing and doing it slowly. Letting yourself be a person, not a machine.
Here are a few small shifts that helped me get more done, without burning out, rushing, or constantly feeling behind.
1. Choose one priority, not five
Every morning, I ask: If I only did one thing today, what would feel meaningful? Not urgent. Not impressive. Meaningful. That question alone has saved me from a thousand pointless spirals. Because when everything feels like a priority, nothing really is. One clear focus brings calm to the chaos.
Try this: Write your one priority on a sticky note or at the top of your to-do list. Let it be simple and honest, something you know will bring relief, clarity, or satisfaction. Then remind yourself: if I only do this today, it counts. Everything else is optional. Bonus. Extra. And often, doing one thing well gives you more momentum than trying to do five things half-heartedly.
2. Slow down one task on purpose
Rushing puts me in survival mode. It tells my body we’re behind, we’re late, we’re not safe. Slowing down, even for just one task, interrupts that message. It reminds me that I’m allowed to move with intention. That I’m not on a conveyor belt of expectations. That I can create slowness, even in a fast world.
Try this: Choose one thing today and make it your slow task. Maybe it’s brushing your teeth, or making tea, or washing a single dish. Turn off the autopilot. Breathe while you do it. Notice how it feels to give your full attention to one thing, even for a moment. Slowness doesn’t waste time, it restores your sense of it.
3. Take a phone-free hour
Every time I check my phone, I lose a little piece of focus. A little spark of attention. A little stretch of presence. And when those interruptions pile up, they scatter my energy and leave me feeling like I’ve done a lot, but finished nothing. One hour without it helps me reconnect with the task in front of me. And with myself.
Try this: Choose a predictable time each day, maybe your first hour in the morning or your last hour before bed, and leave your phone in another room. Set a timer if that helps. Then do something that feels grounding: read, journal, sit in silence, cook without distraction. It might feel strange at first, but over time, it becomes a little sanctuary of clarity. Here’s how to get started.
4. Let something go undone
Some days, I get more done by doing less. Not because I’m lazy, but because I’m clearer. I stop trying to do it all, and I stop believing that rest is something I have to earn. I let the laundry wait. I leave the dishes in the sink. I don’t answer every message. And I trust that the world won’t fall apart if I stop trying to carry it all.
Try this: At the end of your day, take a breath and ask yourself: What can wait? Look at your list and cross off something that can genuinely be delayed, skipped, or simplified. Then do something replenishing instead, even if it’s just sitting down with a cup of tea. Rest is not what you do after the work is done. It’s what helps you do the work better.
5. Stop aiming for “caught up”
I used to chase the feeling of being finished. Inbox zero. Clean kitchen. No notifications. But life keeps moving. There’s always more. The to-do list grows as fast as I clear it. I finally realized that “caught up” is a moving target, and chasing it was draining me. Now, I focus on being present, not perfect.
Try this: Instead of asking, Did I do everything? ask yourself, Did I show up with care? At the end of your day, name three things you did, even small ones, and acknowledge them. Celebrate effort over completion. And remind yourself: presence is a better measure than productivity.
Doing less won’t make your to-do list disappear. But it might give you the space, energy, and clarity to do what actually matters.
You don’t need to do everything. You just need to come back to yourself.
Want more gentle ideas that actually help? Try The Everyday Self-Care Routine or explore Doing One Thing Slowly.
