When is Disengagement Productive?

I was listening to National Public Radio (NPR) the other day and heard an interview with Peg Streep, coauthor of Mastering the Art of Quitting: Why it Matters in Life, Love & Work. It was an interesting and informative broadcast.

I started to think about when quitting – or disengagement – might be helpful.

One of the biggest concerns I hear from folks in the workplace is that everyone has WAY TOO MUCH TO DO. So here’s the question I often ask people I’m working with.

“What’s one thing you could stop doing that wouldn’t negatively impact your ability to reach your goals?”

When I ask this at workshops, I see puzzled looks and a buzz arises in the room. “Everything I do is important…or else I wouldn’t be doing it.”

Really? I’m not so sure.

Here are a few ideas to help you figure out what to disengage from in your daily work:

1)  Slow down and pay attention

• When you feel discomfort, stress or unhappiness, pay attention to what you are doing.
• Ask yourself:
  -Why am I uncomfortable doing this?
  -Do I have to do it?
  -Could someone else do it?

2)  Evaluate the value of the activity or task

• Is there an important strategic connection? (ie, sales or customer satisfaction)
• Is there an important tactical connection? (ie, safety or quality)
• Is there an important personal connection (ie, getting paid or self development)

3)  What’s the downside of not doing it?

4)  What’s the downside of continuing to do it?

When I ask folks to share what they are going to stop doing, here are some of the common responses I hear…

• Doing other people’s work for them (yes, I hear this quite often – amazing, isn’t it?)
• Completing reports that are no longer relevant (because “that’s the way we’ve always done it”)
• Saying “Yes” to others before thinking through the commitment (you might feel like you’re always hearing “no” but lots of people are saying “yes” too often)

Disengagement is productive when it leads to engagement.

Yes, you read it right. Sometimes NOT doing something is the best way to be more satisfied, energized & productive (aka engaged). Give it a try. Of course you’ll want to think through the consequences before you make the decision to stop.

I’d love to hear what you are going to stop doing.  Comment below.