Buzz
Mytour's audience thrives on well-organized checklists. We are driven by clear goals and take pride in the feeling of achievement they bring.
However, what do you do when progress stalls? When you feel directionless and unsure about your next step?
Jocelyn K. Glei, the host of the Hurry Slowly podcast, which focuses on productivity and leading a meaningful life, suggests finding motivation in an unconventional source.
“Maira Kalman, the designer, once shared with me that she begins her mornings by reading obituaries,” Glei notes. “While it may seem grim, she finds it inspiring and thought-provoking. It prompts her to reflect: What truly defines a life well-lived?”
This approach motivates you to monitor the meaningful progress in your life, she explains. Even when we have clear goals, the complexity and number of steps required to achieve them can feel daunting. How do you sift through the details and identify what truly matters?
Whenever I catch myself slouched over my computer, buried in emails, I remind myself of this. Do I want my legacy to be summed up as:
Rest in Peace
Jocelyn Kendall Glei
“She cleared her inbox.”
Or should I aim for something more significant?
What about you? Do you aspire to be someone who consistently achieves “inbox zero,” or do you want to pursue something more impactful in your
one extraordinary and valuable life
?
Additionally, you gain insights into the lives of individuals worldwide who have made significant contributions during their time. One obituary that left a lasting impression on me was about Joachim Ronneberg, a World War II resistance hero who orchestrated a mission that disrupted Hitler’s atomic bomb plans. However, you don’t need to focus solely on obituaries of famous figures. Ordinary people everywhere have accomplished extraordinary things and led fulfilling lives.
Another perspective I considered earlier this week is to reflect on what people, activities, places, achievements, or events from 2019 you’ll want to reminisce about in the future. What stories will you share with your children or grandchildren about 2019? Perhaps it was the year you took a leap into a new career, explored a country you’ve always dreamed of visiting, or deepened a relationship with a loved one.
Mornings, as you prepare for the day and review your tasks, are the perfect time to read an obituary and reflect. As Glei explains, it’s a chance to establish “meaningful metrics and milestones that will keep you focused on the long-term creative endeavors that truly matter to you.”
