Bringing a touch of minimalism to work

When business slowed down last year, Shagun Singh had enough time to re-evaluate her priorities at work. The approach might seem unrealistic in today’s workplace, where corporate culture prioritizes speed, quantity and endless productivity, but it can actually help us become more efficient, less overwhelmed, and simplify our work life, creating space for what we enjoy, professionally and personally, without quitting our job and retreating to the mountains, an unviable option for many. “I don’t subscribe to any digital streaming services, restrict social media usage and spent time reading more, particularly for work, to advance my professional knowledge.” Gift yourself a list Lists can be helpful in making work less overwhelming. “Making lists makes my workday seem more manageable rather than an amorphous glob, and gives me an idea of time required per task,” says Janya Sachdev, 32, a clinical microbiologist at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences. “My health is first, followed by work, relationships, financial management and leisure activities.” Though focus and structure are important when it comes to minimalism, it is equally vital to have unstructured time, for ideas and solutions often remain elusive in forced thinking.