HBR Guides to Managing Your Career Collection (6 Books)

CHAPTER 13

Before You Set New Goals, Think About What You’re Going to Stop Doing

by Elizabeth Grace Saunders

What keeps most of us from accomplishing resolutions we set? The pervasive trap of not consciously taking old activities out of our schedule to make room for the new. It’s the equivalent of trying to stuff more papers into a file drawer that’s already packed tight or going into debt to cover additional purchases. You can take the pinch for a little while, but soon you’re stretched too thin and need to recalibrate to get back to a sustainable lifestyle (or filing system).

Pausing to consider what needs to be removed from your schedule takes time. But it makes all the difference between being busy and being effective. Here are a few practices ...