Chapter 1: Understanding Your Filter

What do you wish to release, and what do you want to amplify in your life?

Recently, I completed a prestigious professional development course at my workplace, one that encouraged deep reflection on our identities and urged us to strive for our best selves. During the second-to-last session, a colleague posed a question that left me puzzled: "What is your filter for selecting tasks?" Initially, I was at a loss for words, unable to grasp the concept.

I've come to realize that I tend to take on numerous responsibilities—both professionally and personally—driven by enthusiasm and a fear of missing out. I lacked a clear filter for these commitments.

After some contemplation, particularly during a holiday when my mind was less occupied, it struck me: a filter is a decision-making framework that helps us assess which tasks and activities are truly valuable, guiding our choices to say yes or no. This seems so straightforward now, yet I had no clear criteria!

Consequently, I found myself overwhelmed by a multitude of engagements: a corporate position, serving as a trustee for a charity, coaching digital skills for another charity, producing YouTube content, podcasting, blogging, freelancing as a web designer, and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle—all while being a son, husband, and father of two young children.

Today, I’ve taken the initiative to draft my own filter. Two insightful books have been instrumental in this process: Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal and Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.

Being overcommitted can adversely affect both physical and mental health, as well as valuable family time, ultimately obscuring our most significant contributions to the world.

I invite you to share your thoughts! Ask yourself: Is this a definite yes or a no? What feelings arise—excitement or hesitation? Consider if you truly have the time for this commitment or if you’re simply trying to squeeze it in. Will this help you achieve your goals? Are you already stretched too thin? Will it encroach on time dedicated to exercise, family, prayer, and rest? What is the opportunity cost? For instance, if I engage in podcasting, will I have less time for freelance work? Reflect on what you’d like to release and what you want to focus on.

In the upcoming weeks and months, I plan to evaluate and prune my commitments continually. What can I engage in that brings meaning and lasting impact?

Here's a compelling excerpt from Greg's book:

"Jack Dorsey, known for founding Twitter and Square, embodies an Essentialist approach to management. At a recent dinner, he described the CEO's role as the chief editor of the company. He elaborated, 'There are a thousand things we could pursue, but only one or two are crucial. Inputs from engineers, support staff, and designers constantly flood in. As an editor, I sift through these inputs to determine the few that align with our mission.' An editor’s role goes beyond merely saying no; it involves deliberate subtraction to enhance ideas and narratives."

― Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Thank you for reading; I look forward to hearing your insights!

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