Don’t Just Do It: Embracing Nuance Over Checklists in the Workplace

The struggle is real. We sleepwalk through repetitive tasks in workplaces focused on transactions.

The boss pays us, and we provide a service. Wash, rinse, and repeat. But is this marathon of the mundane truly why we wake up every morning?

In our quest to “Just Do It,” we’ve become a civilization of check-the-box zombies, with our progress reduced to pixels on a screen. Social media rewards reaction over reflection, numbing our sense of nuance. Project management tools provide a hollow victory—we may finish something, but at what cost to quality and care? In our quest to simply “complete tasks,” have we lost our way? Who cares! At least it’s done. Cue the marching band.

In this virtual realm of breakneck speed, we’ve lost touch with the joys of analog life. Maybe we should give each other the benefit of the doubt and assume good intent. But as the old saying goes, when you assume, you know the rest.

This is not a disjointed tirade against progress. I will not be retreating to ancient ruins for an Ayahuasca ceremony and lighting a bonfire with project management binders.

But efficiency cannot eclipse meaning. Completion means little without a soul.

The Perils of Checking?Boxes

Imagine emerging from an annual check-up, the doctor mute, simply handing you a sheet with a green check mark: “Passed.” What does this even mean? Do I have the physique of a Greek god? The cholesterol of a monk? Do I look like Ryan Gosling? Doubtful. We demand more than just “passed."

We deserve nuance and clarity.

My wife and I once worked at a radio station together—she was in marketing, and I was on the morning show. She would always talk about “getting things off her plate.” I would tease her: It’s not just about clearing your plate—it's about savoring the meal! I can be really annoying, I know. But we’re still married, so maybe I had a point.

The Power of?Subtlety

Let’s liberate ourselves from the tyranny of templates and embrace the splendor of the subjective. The world is not binary. Attention to detail and care matter. Rather than just doing things, let’s strive to do things well.

Mastering the Art of Jobs Well?Done

• Set clear expectations—know exactly what success looks like.
• Communicate with skill and sensitivity—keep people in the loop.
• Organize adeptly and track tasks and deadlines diligently.
• Get ahead of obstacles—be proactive.
• Remain nimble and unflappable when plans shift.
• Brainstorm creatively—don't be afraid to color outside the lines.
• Care deeply about your craft—passion sets the great apart.

TLDR

The robotic repetition of checkbox workflows is numbing. But when we bring creativity and meaning to our tasks, even mundane documents can come alive with purpose. Let’s shift our focus from the monotonous to the momentous—don't just do it. Do it well.

My guest this week is not just checking boxes. TikTok star and financial expert Gigi Gonzalez shares vulnerable insights on overcoming working-class struggles to build generational wealth while staying connected to Latino roots, providing rare perspectives on how values influence Latinas' financial behaviors, often unaddressed in mainstream conversations.

Whether you’re part of the Latina community or interested in the human elements that impact women’s financial lives, I think you’ll find value in our candid discussion.

Check it out on Forbes Books, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Connect with me on TikTok, X, Instagram, and (of course) LinkedIn. My book, Good Listen: Creating Memorable Moments in Business and in Life, is now available at all your favorite bookstores.