I get it. You’re constantly juggling a million tasks, your phone’s buzzing with notifications, and your to-do list seems to be growing by the second and yet you don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere or worse, you’re feeling undervalued, unappreciated and underpaid. The projects you are working on aren’t paying off as you’d hoped, relationships are lukewarm, and the sum total of your life satisfaction is sub-par at best.
But what if I told you there’s a way to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters? Enter two game-changing strategies: Mark Manson’s “F*ck Yes or No” theory and Tim Ferriss’ 80/20 rule. These powerful concepts are total game changers or as I like to call it; emotional minimalism. It’s a curation that allows only high quality tasks, projects and people into our lives.
Mark Manson’s “F*ck Yes or No” Theory: The Power of Enthusiasm
Mark Manson’s philosophy is brilliantly simple: if it’s not a “F*ck Yes,” it’s a no. This applies to everything – projects, relationships, even small daily tasks. It helps cut through indecision and removes the thousands of tiny experiences that drain our energy and mental bandwidth.
Think about it. How often do you say yes to things out of guilt or obligation? Well, consider this your official permission to quit doing that and use this level of discernment moving forward.
Tim Ferriss’ 80/20 Rule: Less is More
Now, let’s add another layer with Tim Ferriss‘ take on the Pareto Principle. The idea is that 80% of your outcomes come from 20% of your efforts. The key is to identify the high-impact 20% in your life and focus your energy there while reducing or eliminating the rest.
Mathematically speaking, you can achieve the same (or better) results with just a fraction of your current effort. That’s the power of the 80/20 rule.
Implementing These Concepts Looks Like and Feels Like
When you combine Manson’s enthusiasm filter with Ferriss’ focus on high-impact activities, magic happens.
To implement, start with an enthusiasm test. Before committing to anything, ask yourself, “Am I absolutely thrilled about this?” If it’s not a resounding yes, it’s a no. If it feels like a 70% return on investment of your time, attention and/or energy, then it’s a no. Period.
Next, identify your 20%. Look at your tasks, relationships, and commitments. Which ones bring the most value or joy? Pour yourself fully into those areas of your life.
Saying no to things that feel like ‘meh’ and yes to things that feel like ‘oh, yeah’ declutters your life on a deeper level than ever before.
Suffice it to say that this must be reassessed regularly. What excited you last month might not work for you now and that’s probably because you are growing and evolving. Keep at it. Continue applying these principles and notice how much has changed for you 6 months from now.
Important disclaimer; all this is challenging and very uncomfortable to implement at the start but SO freeing once it’s done, or as Madonna once said: ‘If it’s bitter at the start, it’s sweeter in the end”
Conclusion: Your Balanced Life Awaits
This 21 century constantly demands more of us. We are overwhelmed to say the least. Learning to say no and focus on what truly matters is a superpower. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed from top CEO’s worldwide is that the more successful they became, the more they had to say no. This is a powerful correlation that is worth testing out in your own life.
We are right in the middle of the holiday season and these techniques might be just what you need to start 2025 on a strong footing now!
Speaking of getting ready for the new year, you might want to grab yourself some of our bestselling products: high potency Himalayan Shilajit and/or Mushroom Essentials Complex and join our community of like-minded individuals!
As always,
Shine bright. Do good. Flow strong.
Asha ✨
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