Ever heard of the term “lingchi”? No worries if you haven’t – it’s an ancient Chinese term that translates to “death by a thousand cuts.” Gruesome, right? Imagine tiny, excruciating tasks piling up until it feels like torture.
In the modern work world, we have our own version – those tasks that nibble away your time and sanity.
Bonjour, in this video, want to share a few simple suggestions so you can spend more time in doing what you love.
I’ve been working with leaders worldwide, dissecting their workloads, and guess what? Many are caught up in these lingchi tasks, things they dislike and avoid at all costs. It’s time to break free, and I’ve got a few straightforward suggestions inspired by Dan Martell’s book, “Buy Back Your Time.”
Here’s your escape plan:
1. Calculate: Figure out your hourly rate. Take your salary, bonus, and extras, then divide by four. If a task feels like a grind, ask yourself: Can I delegate this for one-fourth of my hourly rate? If yes, hit the brakes and delegate!
2. Record: Try a week of tracking your tasks in 15-minute intervals. Jot down what you’re doing, and most importantly, note if you enjoy it. Categorize tasks by their value: low, mid, or high. Soon, you’ll spot the tasks begging for delegation.
3. Delegate: Once you identify those soul-sucking tasks, find someone who can handle them for less than your hourly rate. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. For example, I love creating content but am a bit clumsy with the tech side. Enter Jilord and Kara, my dynamic duo who handle the heavy lifting.
Even in everyday life, Lingchi tasks lurk. Emailing? Jilord’s got it covered. Travel logistics? Tara’s the wizard behind the scenes. Home maintenance? Pete for the garden and John for the DIY disasters I might create.
So, my question for you is this: What are your lingchi tasks, and is it worth delegating them?
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Wishing you a fantastic week and here’s to moving away from all those lingchi tasks!
Cheers to less stress and more joy,
A bientôt
Cyril
