If you are battling the feeling of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) at work, it’s time to try the concept of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) – a mindset shift to help you prioritize important tasks, set boundaries and focus your energy on what really matters. These 5 tips will get you started!
We’ve all been there, stuck in the quicksand of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), constantly running after the next big thing, whether it’s a meeting, project, or opportunity. It’s exhausting.
It’s time to flip the script.
Here’s a thought: What if missing out could actually bring some joy to your life? Enter JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out, a new way of looking at how you spend your time and energy.
Let’s dive into how you can reclaim some joy in your work life.
1) Hone the Art of Prioritization
Remember, not all tasks are created equal. The key to JOMO is recognizing what truly matters. Take a moment each morning to identify your top three priorities for the day. Anything beyond this list? Consider it a bonus, not a necessity. This approach allows you to focus on what genuinely moves the needle.
2) Set Up Meeting Screening Practices
In the world of back-to-back meetings, it’s important to pause and ponder, ‘Is my presence here critical?’ Before confirming your spot, ask for an agenda. Unclear on your role? Seek clarity on the value you’re meant to add. If the meeting’s merit seems minimal, opt out gracefully if that’s an option. I may be biased, but this is a golden opportunity to leverage AI tools like Microsoft Copilot which can turn a meeting transcript or recording into digestible summaries and actionable insights – I’ve experienced this first hand and it’s a game changer.
This is not about being unavailable; it’s about being selective about participating where you can add the most value.
3) Set Boundaries Around Your Time and Energy
Boundaries aren’t just physical; they’re also digital and mental. It’s really easy to stretch the workday beyond what’s reasonable in order to stay consistently responsive.
Got an email after hours? Resist the urge to respond unless it’s critical to address. This discipline not only respects your time but also sets a precedent for others to follow.
If this is hard for you, turn your email notifications off altogether, or silence them after a certain hour. Resist the temptation to look! If someone really needs you, encourage people to call or text you directly.
4) Remember The Power of ‘No’
In a world screaming ‘yes’, take a moment to assess any new request before automatically accepting it. If a project or task doesn’t align with your role, goals and capacity, it may not be in your best interest to say yes. Remember, every ‘no’ to something less important is a ‘yes’ to something that truly matters.
Saying no can be really hard for some of us (fellow people-pleasers, I see you!). If this describes you, instead say “I’ll get back to you.” Then give yourself at least 24 hours to evaluate. Do you have enough information about the request to make an informed decision? Consider who is asking you and your company culture. Would there be repercussions if you said no? It’s not easy to say no to requests but it’s worth taking the time to consider the impact versus automatically saying yes to everything. For anyone who wants to dig deeper into the power of no, check out The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work. It offers additional insight on how to make small yet significant changes to your workload and make smart decisions about what and how to choose what to take on.
5) Embrace Digital Detox
We live in a world constantly buzzing with notifications. Challenge yourself to a daily digital detox – no emails, no social media, no digital disturbances. Start with an hour and gradually increase. You’ll be amazed at the clarity and focus this brings.
In the end, JOMO is about making peace with missing out on the good to make room for the great. It’s about understanding that being busy isn’t the same as being productive. And most importantly, it’s about realizing that sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a step back to move two steps forward.
So, as we embark on this journey of embracing JOMO, remember – it’s not about doing less, but about doing what matters.
Here’s to finding joy in the things we choose to miss and richness in the moments we choose to experience.
Thanks for reading!
