Monday Motivation — October 21, 2024

Ancient wisdom to make the work week better for everyone. This week: How to deal with emails and meetings and stress.

It’s time to start a new workweek. Here are two ancient thoughts to help make things go better for everyone.

Saying and Doing

子曰：「君子欲訥於言而敏於行。」

Confucius says: “A noble person is slow to speak and quick to act.”

— Analects 4:24

This brings to mind meetings and email!

On one hand, I like meetings, because I like people and I enjoy banter. Meetings can be a great way to motivate people and to build a team, and they can be valuable in making sure everyone is on the same page. But most people agree that too many meetings can get in the way of actual doing.

If you’re running a meeting this week, ask yourself: “What is the purpose of this meeting? And does that purpose require a meeting?”

If you’re attending a meeting you don’t want to be at, keep reading below, “Stress.” Also maybe keep in mind my favorite phrase from Robert’s Rules of Order: “A motion to adjourn is always in order.” (It’s actually the only phrase I know by heart.)

And email? The modern world is overflowing with complaints about email and CC’s and the dreaded “reply all.” This isn't a new problem, or Confucius wouldn't have brought it up 2,500 years ago.

So here’s a suggestion: Next time you send an email, spend your energy on content. What do you want to say? Then when you have the what, don’t spend any time on the how. Just send the message, right away, without double checking. Don't proofread it. Don't edit it.

I know this goes against common advice, but what value is there really in magnifying the amount of time you spend sending the same message? After all, “lets discuss tomorow” is just as effective — and in the end less wasteful of time — than: “Thank you for your note, John. I’m currently annoyed swamped because it’s Monday and I have two meetings this afternoon. Would it be allright all right okay with you if we discuss this tomorrow? Thank you for your kind understanding. Best, Mary.”

Stress

Εἰ μὲν διά τι τῶν ἐκτὸς λυπῇ, οὐκ ἐκεῖνό σοι ἐνοχλεῖ, ἀλλὰ τὸ σὸν περὶ αὐτοῦ κρῖμα, τοῦτο δὲ ἤδη ἐξαλεῖψαι ἐπὶ σοί ἐστιν.

“If you are troubled by some external thing, it is not that thing that pains you, but your judgement of it. And you can erase your judgement, for that is within your power.”

— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.47

It’s not hard to find a connection between stress and work: bosses, employees, coworkers, deadlines, etc. The modern workplace can be a stress magnet.

But unless you plan on quitting, the external factors won’t change. So here’s a question: Can you change your reaction? Is there another way to look at the things that are bothering you? The answer might be no (sorry, Marcus). But it might also be yes. And you won’t know until you try.

So Easy, But So Hard

That’s it, you might think? Less time wasted at meetings, fewer and shorter emails, and if you’re stressed try to change your outlook? Yes. That’s it. So easy, but also so hard. Simple truths like these are all too often the first casualty of a busy workweek. This week it’s time for a change.

Have a good week.