In a recent conversation, emergency medicine physicians and authors Dr. Adaira Landry and Dr. Resa Lewiss shared actionable insights on how to stay well while managing busy lives.
One powerful strategy they discussed is learning to "offload routine tasks that bring no joy or purpose" — a small but transformative habit many professionals struggle with, especially when it comes to speaking up to their supervisors.
Gerald Tan, the host, noted:
> “Many Singaporeans would love to have this conversation — to get things off their plate — but they don’t know how. They often suffer in silence.”
### Understanding What You Can (and Cannot) Let Go
Dr. Adaira Landry clarified an important point:
> “We’re not talking about abandoning your core job responsibilities. That’s not what this is about.
What we’re referring to are those extra, optional tasks that fill your schedule, drain your energy, and contribute to mental overload.”
She added that during her talks, some senior professionals worry that this advice encourages people to quit or avoid responsibilities. But she emphasized:
> “It’s about identifying low-value work that doesn’t align with your growth or purpose — tasks you can let go of without risking your role.”
Dr. Landry also shared a practical tip:
> “I’ve even used tools like ChatGPT to help me prepare for difficult conversations with my supervisor. There are many ways to approach this thoughtfully.”
She advises asking yourself:
- Is this task essential to keeping my job?
- Will saying no affect my performance review, promotion, or salary?
If the answer is yes, then it's worth discussing with your personal “board of directors” — mentors or trusted colleagues who can offer guidance.
### Practical Ways to Lighten Your Load
Dr. Resa Lewiss highlighted a helpful visual from their book that outlines four strategies:
1. **Automate** – Use technology to handle repetitive tasks.
2. **Delegate** – Pass on tasks to someone else, especially if it’s something they can learn and you no longer need to do.
3. **Delete** – Simply stop doing things that aren't necessary or adding value.
4. **Delay** – Postpone non-urgent items to create breathing room.
> “By removing certain tasks from your plate,” Dr. Lewiss explained, “you create space — either for rest, or for more meaningful and impactful work.”
This intentional curation of your workload isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about preserving your well-being and focusing on what truly matters in your professional life.
You don’t have to carry everything. Identify the tasks that drain you without contributing meaningfully to your role, and consider automating, delegating, deleting, or delaying them. The goal is to protect your time, energy, and sense of purpose at work.