I remember the day that I learned the difference between working harder and working smarter. On this particular day I was carrying a large cooler of water outside in preparation for a BBQ when I thought my body was about to break.
I had been carrying lots of things that afternoon: straining my wrists, arms and back as I tensed against the loads–feeling not only the weight of each, but also the weight of time and the endless nag of the critic inside telling me to move faster, work harder, do a better job. Tighter, harder, stronger…and I wound myself up over each task until I could feel the wires almost snap.

Just before they did a voice in my head said, relax.

When I heard the voice, I just let go. I didn’t literally let go and drop everything, I just relaxed into what I was doing. My hand remained firm, but not clenched, and my arm simply dropped. I realized how much extra work I had been creating for myself because I was literally straining myself to hold the cooler with bent biceps every step of the way. I was wasting my own energy, creating more effort.

Yoga continually teaches us to embody this practice of effortlessness. At first we attempt to push and prod ourselves into each pose, muscles shaking, breath straining. And then the teacher reminds us to soften our face. Relax the eyes, let them rest gently in their sockets. Breathe deep, steady breaths, in and out. We learn to tune in, focus our efforts so that only the required muscles do the heavy lifting and everything else acquiesces into a state of ease.

It’s not a matter of not working or quitting. It’s about moving deep into the core of what needs to be done, and doing just that. No more, no less.

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Haiku Productivity: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential from ZenHabits
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