Greetings from the AIA California Office,

We are living in a content-rich world these days and were all inundated – ironically this includes these messages! While some of it is valuable, others not worth your time, but we all can recognize how challenging it is to wade through the electronic clutter to find those nuggets of wisdom. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are a few ideas from a recent roundtable discussion for cutting through the noise and focusing on what truly matters.

One of the strategies mentioned was The Friction Project, in which two Stanford professors encourage you to take everything they do and cut it in half. Recognizing, many of us waste time on unnecessary tasks or inefficient processes, by identifying and eliminating these friction points, we can free up time for higher-value activities. Similarly, the book Hell Yeah or No was recommended as it challenges us to make bold, clear decisions (if an opportunity doesn’t excite you with a strong “Hell Ya!” reaction, it might not be worth your time). Otherwise, we risk filling our lives with mediocrity instead of meaningful work. 

This is all great in principle, but HOW do you do it?  One approach you can take today is by “program auditing” – assessing commitments and categorizing them. The top third of tasks should be maintained, the bottom third eliminated, and the middle third debated before making a final decision. 

Another suggestion to combat both figurative and literal clutter is “OHIO”—”Only Handle It Once!” This idea combats procrastination and indecisiveness; instead of revisiting the same tasks multiple times, handling them immediately reduces mental clutter and saves time.

And finally, moving beyond task management, understanding capacity and prioritization is crucial – while anything may be possible, not everything is a priority. Recognizing personal and organizational limits helps focus energy on what truly matters.

Sharing these types of strategies and resources to help you to wade through the noise, focus on the things that truly move the profession forward, and ultimately improve your mental health – just a few ways AIA California is working for you.

Nicki