Escape the 9 to 5 Living the 80/20 Way
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have it all? They work a lot less than we do and somehow make more and have time for more than the rest of us do?
In his book, Living the 80/20 Way, Richard Koch shares one of several important concepts: Happiness Islands.
What do you spend 80 percent of your time doing that only contributes to 20 percent of your happiness? For me, it is doing unfulfilling work. Yes, we all need to work, for different reasons.
But like Oprah says, “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.”
I’m currently on maternity leave. I appreciate having a well-paying job and my awesome colleagues, but I’m not inspired. In fact, sometimes the work that I have to perform makes me feel mildly depressed. This is a problem.
I am of the belief that doing inspiring work is the only way to live. So what have I done recently that has made me so happy?
Well, I am writing this post; I am re-reading a masterpiece, Living the 80/20 Way, I also just published my first YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYsaxQNYzRc and I’ve revived an old project that I plan to fully execute by year’s end.
Here are some questions Koch asks us to consider:
- When was the last time you were truly happy?
- What were you doing?
- Who were you with? Were you alone or in a group?
- Can you do more of it — can you turn said activity into a career?
- When was the last time you felt unhappy or dare I say, depressed?
- What were you doing?
- Can you cut those activities or quit them in order to free time up for things that make you happy?
For most of us, the activity that makes us unhappy is usually the work that we get paid to do. But, have you thought about activities or hobbies that you enjoy doing–that you already do the moment you have free time and that could eventually turn into a career? We live in an age when this is more possible than ever. So think, my friend. Think long and hard.
The first step is to identify what makes you happy. For me, I love to read, learn and borrow new ideas from books and articles I’ve consumed. I also love to write. I enjoy creative work, social media, and the feeling I get when I accomplish a goal or execute an idea or project.
I would do all of these for free. This is when I have reached utopia. I am 100% happy doing these things. I am so into these activities that I often forget the time or to eat. This, my friends, is pure bliss.
If I spent 80 percent of my time doing more of these activities, I’d be both rich and incredibly happy. I’m currently tapping my forehead and will rub my chin next in complete and utter awe.
I work with people who are constantly rushing and running from meeting to meeting. They are leaders in their positions and highly intelligent human beings, but they fail to embrace the idea that doing a lot less and focusing on those very few activities that will yield the highest return will produce more of what they want.
I can attest that I can and I do my job in a fraction of the time allotted. I can get an entire week’s worth of work in under a day. However, I can’t say this proudly because professionals correlate being busy with productivity and success. And so I put on a smile, nod and agree, against every fiber of my being, that I, too am really busy.
“I’m very busy.”
So, my dear readers, spend time working on your “Happiness Islands” by answering the questions above. Work out a plan right now that will allow you to do more of what makes you happy.
And if it isn’t too much to ask, please gift me with your feedback. Tell me what’s on your mind. If you disagree with me or would like to provide an alternative perspective, please do so. I am a lifelong student and in permanent beta; educate me. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please do not hesitate to share.
As always, I look forward to hearing about your success.
Xoxo,
Irís
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