On essentialism, small pauses & trade-offs🌱

And overthinking the etiquette on newsletter breaks

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Mary Oliver*

Hi friend,

In the truest Conversation tradition, I had another post planned today.

The truth is, I have so many essays and strategies and pep talks planned for you.

I’ve also had a very full start to the year. Client commitments, business growth projects, a poetry course. Isn’t this always the creative leader’s paradox? Pulled by all the projects and goals?

Also, who said January was a spacious month? Oh, me.

*Yes, I did just use this Mary Oliver quote because really, is there one that’s more essential?

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Essentialism vs. Your To-Do List

A few months back, my brilliant coach shared this idea from Greg McKeown’s Essentialism, a book about “the disciplined pursuit of less.”

Greg McKeown tells us, “Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done.”

From Essentialism by Greg McKeown

As I made a habit of moving deadlines, shifted my to-do list and obsessed what projects I wasn’t progressing, I couldn’t shake this image.

Doing all the things.

Barely moving the needle on any.

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What’s Your Trade-Off?

Every business owner, creative, marketer reading this will know the value of trade-offs in their work. The daily choices we make over another in the name of getting things done. Or not. Perhaps our careers are just one long sequence of trade-offs?

As Greg McKeown writes, “Instead of asking, “What do I have to give up?” they ask, “What do I want to go big on?”

Friends, I want to go big on a writing project I’ve neglected for months. I don’t know where it’s going but I need to get it to the next chapter. Looking at my calendar in coming weeks (client projects, a sales cycle, a writing retreat), I realised this newsletter had to be the trade-off.

I’ve written before that I give a lot of time and energy to writing The Conversation. Editing it. Trying to remember to share it on social media. It’s an essential part of my business and who I am in my business. I cherish this community and the connection it brings. I also love writing it. Even if it’s just every fortnight which is the cadence I’ve landed on for now.

But I need to reclaim that time. Those precious. To direct them elsewhere.

It’s really just maths.

And being clear on what’s truly essential to me in this moment.

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I’m not sure what the etiquette is on planned newsletter breaks? Am I overthinking this? Was this “we’re on a break” memo even necessary? I’m in PR. I lean towards over-communication. Also, I prefer to save my disappearing acts for Instagram 😉

Sp thank you for holding this space for me. I’ll BRB in a month’s time.

Project wrapped.

Ready to make this newsletter my essential thing.

Before I go, what one thing that you can make more essential in your business, your work?

As always, I’m grateful for every ❤️, comment and reply.

With love,
Antonia xo

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