EVERYTHING IN MODERATION

“Everything in moderation,” said Archimedes, unless of course it was Aristotle. How true even today because it all comes down to maintaining some kind of balance in life. To do this you have to learn the Zen-like art of saying ‘No’. Say ‘No’ to things that do not matter and recover time for those that do. Say ‘No’ to the superfluous and actually have time to floss. If, for example, you have moved someone’s fridge in the 5 last years, then you definitely need to learn how to say ‘No’.

It comes down to priorities. A University professor of mine, Dr. Richard Florida, (author of Rise of the Creative Class - a book about the effect of creativity on economics) introduced the term ‘to satisfice’ in class. (Original source: Herbert Simon’s Models of Man, 1957.) Here is the definition as I remember it from graduate school.

Satisfice (v) To do the best you can with the limited resources available including time.

- (From no dictionary at all; not common usage … yet.)

Instead of aiming for perfection, do the best you can with what you’ve got. ‘Satisfice’ and you will not only complete things adequately, you will also find left over time for you. It is harder to feel a passion for work when worked to the bone. In a complex world, ‘satisficing’ teaches us to do more with less, make quicker decisions, and let go of what’s not important.

“Because everything we do is limited by space, time and resources, everything we do is a piece of art.”

- Albert Einstein

Don’t worry the next time you feel you don’t have what it takes. According to one of the greatest minds in history, you are not about to make a huge mistake, you are about to create a masterpiece.

Have a great week!