Why 200% at work isn't necessary...The Spotlight Effect - how to succeed with less

"I don't focus on what I'm up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest." - Serena Williams

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Hi there,

How was last week?

Tennis fan? I watched the Australian Open this weekend. ?? The finals were spectacular.?

But let me ask: Do you ever feel like you're working, even when you're not?

If so, you're not alone - I've been there too.

When I graduated from my master's program, my goal was crystal clear:

• Join the luxury industry.
• Move to China.
• Manage a team by the time I turned 30.

At 27, I achieved it - but at a steep cost.

My first year in China, I worked?15-hour days?and spent every weekend at the office while friends enjoyed brunches and weekend getaways.

That same year, I was diagnosed with overworking, which caused terrifying (but thankfully temporary) episodes of?vision loss.

Three years later, I resigned.

Why am I sharing this?

Because when I resigned, I realized that those 15-hour days were?my choice.

Nobody expected it from me - except me.

Here's what changed in the three months post-resignation:

• I didn't work late nights.
• I didn't bring my computer home.
• I didn't go into the office on weekends.

And guess what? I still delivered results.

It was a wake-up call. I stopped pushing myself to give?200%.

Instead, I gave?100% - and it was plenty.

the why

So why do we push ourselves to give 200%?

We tell ourselves:

• "If I don't do it, they'll notice and judge."
• "If I don't fix this, everything will collapse."
• "If I don't work from home, they'll think I'm not committed."

Sound familiar?

In psychology, this is called the?Spotlight Effect.?

It's the belief that everyone is paying attention to you, when in reality,?they're not.?

The?spotlight effect?makes you feel like the centre of the universe, as if everything would fall apart without you. But here's the truth:

It wouldn't.

Take my example - I worked in a company with over 15,000 employees.

When I stopped working 15-hour days, the company survived. And guess what? It's still standing today, without me.

The spotlight effect exaggerates your importance, leading you to overwork and sacrifice your life.?

Last month, I spoke with a potential client from a company of over 13,000 employees. They felt the weight of every decision, convinced that if they didn’t fix things, the entire system would collapse.

I told them the same thing I realized myself:?You're not that important - and that's a good thing.

Most people focus on themselves, not you.

When I finally accepted this, I got my life back. I started saying no to unnecessary work and joined my friends for brunch.

the how

Here's one way how I used this knowledge to stop giving 200% when 100% was enough.

I no longer rushed to accept every meeting.

I declined meetings where:

• There were more than 15 participants.
• My presence wasn't essential (no preparation was required.)
• The agenda was filled with "best practices sharing."

There was no need to be another face in a crowd.?

Instead of attending,?I read the minutes.

The result??I cut down?80%?of these "important" meetings and saved?55 minutes?each time by spending just 5 minutes reading the notes.

?? Bonus tip:?Send a quick DM to meeting lead, acknowledge their key point, or confirm your next step. They'll appreciate and never question your absence.

You don't need another app or one-size-fits-all system to stop meetings taking your day (and life.)

What you need is?a clear priority.?

Focusing on less can free up 30% of your schedule for meaningful work, passion projects, or new memories with people you love.?Join?The Good Busy?online course.

your play of the week

Step out of the spotlight????

Use the spotlight effect to?free up your schedule?from unnecessary meetings:

• Skip your next 15-person meeting.
• Read the minutes instead (5 minutes vs. 60.)

result

When you step out of the spotlight mindset, you'll stop seeing?all?meetings as important.

Helping 48,000 leaders do less, live more.

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Enjoy getting good busy!

See you next Monday,

Kate

P.S.: It's 2025! Another year of pushing yourself to give 200%? It doesn't have to be.?You can succeed with less. Learn with?The Good Busy course.

P.P.S.: Want time for what matters? Stop chasing more, focus on less.

• Join my free goal-setting workshop. Set goals that keep you focused.
• Join The Good Busy?online course. Free up 30% of your schedule.
• Book 1:1 coaching or team workshop. Focus on less, work less, stress less.