Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they've started.
Interpretation
Stress often arises not from having numerous tasks but from the inability to complete them.
This quote by David Allen emphasizes that the stress experienced by individuals is often not due to the volume of tasks they face, but rather from the frustration of not being able to finish what they have begun. It suggests that a lack of closure on projects or responsibilities can lead to overwhelming feelings, and addressing this unfinished business is key to reducing stress and maintaining a sense of control and accomplishment.
In practice
During a workshop about productivity, you can quote this to emphasize the importance of finishing tasks.
Isn't it interesting that people feel best about themselves right before they go on vacation? They've cleared up all of their to-do piles, closed up transactions, renewed old promises with themselves. My most basic suggestion is that people should do that more than just once a year.
It is a tricky business to know when you should set goals and objectives in order to achieve a focus, and when you would be better off dealing with the acceptance and management of your current reality so you can later step into new directions and responsibilities with greater stability and clarity. Only you will know the answer to that, and only in the moment.
Most of the stress people experience comes from inappropriately managed commitments they make or accept.
Once a week, do a thorough review of all your projects in as much detail as you need to. If you do, your systems will work. If you don't, no system will work.
You don't actually do a project; you can only do action steps related to it. When enough of the right action steps have been taken, some situation will have been created that matches your initial picture of the outcome closely enough that you can call it "done.
Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.
All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
Work on your stony qualities and become resplendent like the ruby. Practice self-denial and accept difficulty. Always see infinite life in letting the self die. Your stoniness will decrease; your ruby nature will grow. The signs of self-existence will leave your body, and ecstasy will take you over.
It isn't the big troubles in life that require character. Anybody can rise to a crisis and face a crushing tragedy with courage, but to meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh - I really think that requires spirit. It's the kind of character that I am going to develop. I am going to pretend that all life is just a game which I must play as skillfully and fairly as I can. If I lose, I am going to shrug my shoulders and laugh - also if I win.
Imagine losing fingernails, Harry! That really puts our sufferings into perspective, doesn't it?
To be unafraid of the judgement of others is the greatest freedom you can have.
She returned his gaze, struck by the sense of her own transformation, and overwhelmed by the beauty which a lifetime havit had taught her to ignore.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.