The Subtraction Lab, Issue 2
““Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ”
The Problem
I have a confession to make. I am obsessed with lists. I derive an abnormal amount of satisfaction from writing down all the tasks, chores, and to-dos I believe I must accomplish.
But here’s the thing. The satisfaction stops as soon as I put the cap on the pen.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a packed calendar, a backlog of chores, and a pile of life logistics that never seems to shrink. The “invisible labor” of keeping everything running is exhausting.
You tell yourself the answer is to become more productive, more efficient, or to somehow “make more time.”
Why that doesn’t work
Here’s the catch: there is no end. As soon as you check off one box, six more appear. The faster you work, the faster the list grows. It’s not a time problem, it’s a system problem.
The Truth
But high-capacity people who are flourishing understand that productivity is not the same as progress - and more efficiency doesn’t lead to more peace.
Now what?
Let me show you how this works- with a real example, the research behind it, and simple steps you can try today.
Real World Example
My mornings used to kick off with a to-do list so long I needed a second cup of coffee just to look at it… and yes, it was color-coded.
Blue for work, green for house stuff, pink for personal, etc etc. (My obsession with lists ran deep.)
By the end of the day- on a “good” day- I had crossed off maybe half of it, but the list never actually got shorter.
So instead of feeling accomplished, I felt like I was drowning. And I was overcome with guilt about what I hadn’t finished.
The shift came when I stopped managing everything and started identifying a few things that actually mattered that day.
Why it Works
When we overload ourselves with endless to-do’s, our brains never get the satisfaction of completion- which increases stress and drains motivation.
Research shows that setting a few clear, achievable goals each day helps restore focus, lowers stress, and gives you that much-needed sense of progress.
In other words, three meaningful “must-do’s” can leave you feeling accomplished instead of exhausted. It’s all about recalibrating your success meter.
Here’s How:
#1: Pick your Absolute Three.
Each morning, write down the 3 things that truly must get done today. If you finish them, you win the day. Everything else is optional.
#2: Start a “Got Done” list.
When your mind starts spinning about what’s unfinished, take 1 minute. Open your Notes app and use speech-to-text to rattle off everything you actually did today- from sending an email to folding laundry.
This quick reset shifts your brain from scarcity to progress, and you’ll likely realize you got way more done than you gave yourself credit for.
To Sum it Up…
Your to-do list is lying to you - it tells you there’s always more, so you never feel done. But life, as Ferris Bueller reminded us, moves pretty fast.
If you don’t pause to see what you’ve actually accomplished, you’ll miss the progress that’s right in front of you.
As promised, under 3 minutes - a practical way to outsmart burnout.
Keep subtracting,
Amy
