I’ve been listening to the audiobook 10x Is Better Than 2x, and it reminded me of something that deeply influenced me a few years ago. In the corporate world, where the expectation is to work 9-5, heads down, always producing, there’s no shortage of busyness. When I first learned about the "busyness paradox," it all clicked—I realized who I didn’t want to be.

Now, being busy isn’t inherently bad, but being busy just for the sake of it is highly unproductive. In my experience, many workplaces tend to reward those who are constantly stressed and busy, regardless of how productive they actually are. Personally, I’ve always believed in working smarter, not harder—and that’s exactly the message of 10x.

When we focus on filling our days with tasks just to feel validated or impress our bosses or peers, we often end up doing low-value work. This is called "tunneling," where we check off easy tasks without stopping to consider if they really matter. It's rooted in insecurity and the need for approval.

The book argues that 80% of what we do, whether at work or in life, are tasks of busyness that we should either outsource or drop. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a corporate employee, there’s always room to evaluate what truly adds value. Without regular reflection, we fall into the trap of constant stress, trying to "catch up" on things that don’t really matter.

​Instead, focus on the 20% of tasks that add the most value to your life or career, and become the best at those. By doing so, you’ll not only create more space to excel but also free yourself from the endless cycle of busyness that drains your energy without meaningful results. Life and work should be about adding value—not just staying busy.

If you’ve been following my newsletters, you know I often talk about the effects of negative emotions. Feelings like anger, resentment, insecurity, and negative pride can take over if we don't address them. But emotional control isn’t just about managing the negative—it’s also about balancing positive emotions like joy, elation, and happiness. Let me explain.

Life moves in cycles. From the rising and setting of the sun to the rhythm of our breath, everything has a natural flow. While most people dream of experiencing only positive emotions—no anger, fear, or sadness—that’s not the reality. What goes up must come down, and the same applies to emotions.

Emotional control comes from awareness and acceptance. When we let our emotions dictate our actions, life can feel chaotic—happy one moment, upset the next. Positive emotions, like negative ones, can become addictive, creating a cycle of constantly chasing that high. The real issue lies in unrealistic expectations—thinking we should always be happy leads to disappointment, disconnect, prolonged sadness, and even addiction.

True emotional control means riding the waves of joy and sadness with ease. Accept that not every day, or every moment, will be blissful—and that’s okay. When we resist difficult emotions, we miss out on their deeper messages and often resort to quick fixes like social media or gossip to feel better. Instead, sitting with these emotions and understanding them brings long-term peace.

​​By embracing both highs and lows and seeing emotions as messengers, we build a stronger foundation of inner peace. It may feel counterintuitive, but creating space for negative emotions actually enhances our ability to experience real happiness.