“Do Better” Instead of “Do More”

Don’t let the façade of being busy become your measuring stick.

Photo by Andreas Klassen on Unsplash

One question often comes up from the folks that I mentor. What does it mean to “do better” instead of “do more” when it comes to work?

As often with questions that possess some ambiguity, it is easier to answer with examples than generalizations or rhetoric.

1. Rather than rushing to meet arbitrary deadlines, you focus on thoroughly researching and refining a proposal, resulting in a well-crafted presentation that impresses senior management.
2. Instead of taking on additional projects to appear busy, you invest time in honing a specific skill, leading to more innovative solutions and increased efficiency in your work.
3. Rather than reactively attending every meeting on his calendar, you evaluate each one for relevance and contribution to your goals, allowing you to prioritize your time and focus on tasks that truly advance the team’s objectives.

Doing better instead of doing more in the context of work means focusing on improving the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of your efforts rather than simply increasing the quantity or volume of tasks completed. It is about prioritizing effectiveness over busyness and ensuring that your efforts produce meaningful results.