Our world is obsessed with individual productivity. But to achieve it, you have to break free from the grind and find wellness in your life.
Productivity and wellness rarely surface amid the "constant flood of distractions," said Jeff Karp. "There's the daily email and social media bombardment along with packed-like-sardines schedules."
Karp is a biomedical engineering professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT. His lab's technologies have led to the formation of a dozen companies.
"By prioritizing our wellness, we can unlock our full potential and create a life of genuine fulfillment," Karp said. "It's not about adding more to your life; it's about adding more life to your years."
Embrace Curiosity And Questioning For Wellness
Legendary scientist Robert Langer, one of the founders of Moderna, says that when you're a student, you're judged by how well you answer questions. But in your career, success is often tied to how good your questions are.
Treat questioning as a skill and refine it through practice.
By doing so "we can evolve our questions to be more impactful, leading to deeper insights and breakthroughs," Karp, the author of "LIT," said. "LIT" is an acronym that stands for "Life Ignition Tools."
One simple way to enhance your questioning skills is to listen closely to others' questions and "write down the valuable ones," he said.
"This practice not only sharpens your focus and curiosity, but also provides examples and inspiration for crafting your own insightful questions," Karp said.
Don't Let Self-Doubt Erode Your Wellness
It's crucial to question your fears, especially those that arise in work situations, says Christina Rasmussen. She is a grief educator and author of "Invisible Loss."
"Take a moment to pause and reflect: Are these feelings genuinely rooted in reality or are they merely a product of your survival instincts?" Rasmussen said. "Dismissing them can negatively impact the quality of your work, relationships with your team and boss, and it can hinder your career growth."
Instead of ignoring or suppressing your anxiety, recognize and address it promptly, she adds. "Talk to someone about it. It could be a good friend, your partner, someone at work or a professional."
The important thing is not to let the self-doubt linger without some resolution.
Change Your Inner Language
Often our biggest critic is that little voice in your head. That voice is often scared and negative. Therefore, we need to change our inner conversation so our external results change too. Rasmussen offers these examples of reframing thoughts.
Replace "I am not ready to do this" with "I may not feel ready but I know deep down I can do this." Or swap out "I don't care anymore" with "I am someone who always cares no matter what I am facing. I won't change now." Turn "I don't know the answer to this" into "I may not know the answer but I do know I can find it."
Rasmussen offers this perspective on eliminating self-defeating thinking: "The challenge of making a new life is not as hard as trying to hold on to the old one."
Embrace Setbacks As Steppingstones
Reframe failure as a source of energy and a steppingstone to success, Karp says.
When you experience a setback, pay attention to the "natural rhythm of your emotions," he said. First, there is usually an initial "sting" that eventually subsides. Then curiosity emerges, which leads to resiliency.
By reflecting on what happened, we can identify areas for improvement and adjust our course, he says. Often, failure presents an opportunity to bring in fresh energy and ideas.
For example, it might be the perfect time to add a new team member, "someone with a different perspective who can help spark creative solutions," Karp said.
Karp says to always apply this question to spark new answers: "What if I approach this with fresh eyes and an open mind?"
Prioritize Wellness With Rest And Reflection
In the constant hustle of the business world, it's easy to fall into the trap of a "checklist life," Karp said.
But in doing so, we miss out on vital opportunities for creative thinking — those moments where ideas connect and spark innovation.
"True rest and reflection require a deliberate pause," Karp said, "not just a quick glance at your phone or a rushed lunch break."
Step away way from the noise. Take a walk or close your eyes for a few minutes. "This allows your brain to synchronize," he said. These pauses fuel creativity and lead to breakthroughs.
"Downtime is not wasted time," Karp emphasizes. "It's an essential investment in our ability to think deeply, innovate and thrive."
