Work Smarter, Not Harder : Post 4: Ruthless Elimination — Less, but Better
Life gets lighter when you say no. Ruthlessly.
Missed the earlier posts from the Work Smarter, Not Harder series :
Post 1: Work Smarter, Not Harder: The Shift That Changed Everything
Post 2: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Post 2: The 80/20 Rule Do Less, Achieve More
Post 3: Work Smarter, Not Harder — Post 3: Manage Attention, Not Time
Why We Need to Eliminate
We often think productivity is about cramming more into our day. But honestly, it’s more about cutting out the noise. Every time we say yes to something that doesn’t matter, we’re saying no to what truly does.
I used to start my day with a long to-do list. Felt productive, looked busy. But by evening, I had just touched the surface, replying to emails, switching tabs, doing shallow work. No deep thinking, no real progress. That’s when I realised, maybe the issue isn’t time or energy. Maybe it’s what I’m choosing to keep
What is Ruthless Elimination?
It’s exactly what it sounds like. Ruthlessly cutting out things, meetings, tasks, obligations, even people that don’t serve your purpose or peace. This isn’t about being arrogant or anti-social. It’s about choosing better. When we eliminate what doesn’t matter, what remains finally gets the attention it deserves.
Simple Signs You Need to Eliminate
You feel busy but not productive
You're constantly multitasking
Your calendar is packed, but your goals are untouched
You rarely have time to just sit and think
Where to Begin
1. Audit Your Week
Take a look at your last 7 days. Where did your time go? You’ll be surprised how much went to meetings, errands, and random scrolling.
2. Make a "Not-To-Do" List
Yes, not to do. List things you’ll stop doing: unnecessary Teams, Zooms, replying to every group chat, checking email 15 times a day.
3. Use Filters
Before saying yes to something, ask:
Does this align with my goals?
Will this matter in a year?
Am I the best person to do this?
If not, say no. Politely, firmly.
4. Build White Space
Block time for doing nothing. Thinking, resting, ideating. That’s not laziness, it’s creative recovery.
My Personal Elimination Moment
I once sat down and unsubscribed from over 50 newsletters. Sounds silly, but the relief was instant. My inbox cleared, my mind cleared. Then I started saying no to calls that didn’t need me. No to weekend work. No to “just a quick sync” meetings. Each no made room for a powerful yes.
Let’s Try This Together
Your Mini Challenge for the Week:
Write down 3 things you will ruthlessly eliminate this week.
Share one on social media using #WorkSmarterSeries and tag me. Let’s encourage each other.
Coming Up Next Week:
Post 5: Simple Automation — Buy Back Your Time
We’ll look at how to automate your boring stuff so you can focus on your best work.