In today's world of work, professionals often refer to this paradoxical injunction: do more with less. Less staff, less time, and yet increasing production demands. Could this explain the epidemic of burnouts facing our society? We suggest transforming this standard.
The theory of ‘less, but better’ can be applied to all areas of life: from our working methods to how we manage our free time, the key is not to overload ourselves, but to invest in what really matters to us. In short, replace the contemporary obsession for numbers with an approach that also considers quality and long-term results. A new philosophy combining minimalism, sustainability and mindfulness.
Multiplying experiences
Our life choices are unlimited compared to the early 20th century. People are mobile, moving, reorienting themselves; the traditional family model is crumbling; sporting and cultural experiences are no longer reserved for the elite. These infinite possibilities lead to the belief that to live well, you have to be constantly on the move. Permanent hyper-connectivity reinforces this impression: everyone shares their hectic lives on social media. Days must be optimised, to the point that we sometimes forget that no, a sunny, snowy Sunday is not an obligation to go skiing. If we prefer television to queuing for the chairlift, it may be less glamorous, but it is also acceptable.
Balancing work and free time
During periods of professional stress, we are more likely to lose our footing if our private obligations resemble an Outlook to-do list. This is especially true since the usual advice for preventing burnout (regular exercise, meditation, cultural hobbies and regular get-togethers with friends) can also have negative consequences. These well-intentioned activities require a significant investment of time and can even cause guilt in those who are unable to stick to them.
This guilt is often mentioned by women who combine a career with family responsibilities: social expectations in terms of education do not fit in with their new reality. If you force yourself to go to the gym three times a week, bake your own biscuits and drive your children to English lessons, the pace quickly becomes unsustainable. In these situations, it seems preferable to make choices... even if some of them involve giving something up.
Sustainability and minimalism
As a counterbalance to these paradigms, the trend towards minimalism is beginning to emerge, based on ecological arguments. Buying less but better, cultivating simple pleasures, consuming locally... This has benefits for the planet and the mind. By learning to declutter – in your cupboards or your diary – you can relieve yourself of a certain mental hyperactivity that increases the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. Tidying, sorting, throwing away or giving away objects reduces visual and mental clutter. In a minimalist room, the feeling of renewal and space encourages creativity, new ideas and a sense of freedom, like standing in front of a blank page where everything is yet to be written – ideal for starting a new year.
Some practical tips for slowing down:
- Work. An interesting method: Pareto's Law, presented in one of our previous newsletters. This principle states that 20% of efforts produce 80% of results. The idea is to isolate high value-added actions and focus on them, rather than getting bogged down with tons of insignificant obligations. Put this into practice for your projects, meetings or when sorting through your emails.
- Hobbies. Why not focus on those that bring you the most satisfaction? Instead of juggling several activities, choose one truly inspiring hobby (e.g. drawing, sport, music) that you want to pursue seriously. This can also be applied to children's extracurricular activities: giving them time to play and free time is important for boosting their creativity.
- Shopping. Fewer objects = more clarity and freedom. In the office or at home, keep only what is useful or brings you pleasure. If you need to buy something new, choose sustainable items, even if it means investing more money. Efficiency is guaranteed: cheap items need to be replaced more quickly, which also costs energy.
- Targeted social detox. Reduce superficial interactions to invest in important relationships. Say ‘no’ to events or obligations that are not enriching and save time for a few close friends or colleagues with whom exchanges really matter.
- Simplified decisions. How much time do we waste each week making micro-decisions that cost energy? An original idea for cooking, what to wear the next day, where to go on holiday... Reducing these seemingly insignificant micro-choices frees up your mind. This can be done through simple steps: buy timeless, neutral clothes that go with everything; choose local grocery stores over the endless aisles of supermarkets.
