Deliberate Living Made Simpler.

Murphy and Acceptance

Murphy (of the law) loves me. Actually, it’s more of a long-term stalker situation at this point. If things are going to go wrong at work, it’s going to happen to me. Software will misbehave, computers won’t reboot, Outlook will drop people off my meetings, I will find new ways to break websites. And I’ve accepted this. I’ve learned that when the big stuff happens, I need to slow down, assess the situation and make a plan to move forward - one that typically does not involve what I had already tried..

Recently I was having a frustrating Monday. Nothing was going really wrong, and there was no need for me to curse Murphy out. But there was a lot of little stuff that was harder than it needed to be.

I realized that for the little stuff, I have a different methodology. I keep repeating what I was doing trying harder. One of the best definitions of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” That’s attributed to Einstein. Or Twain. Or Franklin.

I realized that I have to stop trying to force the results and accept that my way isn’t working. I need to slow down, assess the situation and make a plan to move forward.

Generally these little annoyances are caused because I am trying to do too much too fast. Focusing on doing one task to completion is a good way to make sure that I am not missing steps and getting frustrated.

Quick Productivity Tips

Look At Your Calendar Feeds: If you are using an electronic calendar, you have probably added in other calendars to display. These could range from holidays to sports teams to school calendars. Today, look at all the calendars that are feeding into your electronic calendar. If the information is not useful or relevant, get rid of it.
Pre-prep Lunch Choices: Healthy lunches are easier if you are able to throw something into your bag and go. It takes as much effort to pick out a package of healthy food as it does junk food after all. Today, take a few minutes and batch prepare veggies or fruit so they are ready to pop into your lunch.
Listen To Your Body and Mind: In our quest for high productivity, we often ignore fatigue in order to get more done. This can be counterproductive in the long run, as we never fully recharge. Today, evaluate your fatigue levels, both physical and mental, and if necessary, take a break!

Articles This Month:

Be More Productive By Stopping: True productivity isn't about doing more; it's about stopping the leaks. Eliminate distractions to reclaim focus and energy for what truly matters.
What if a Full Inbox Isn’t Procrastination?: As an introvert, I need quiet time to recharge. Here are 10 proven ways I carve out space for deep focus and mental clarity.

What Patrons Saw

Studies are Showing AI Is Making Us Less Productive
Studies are showing AI may reduce productivity by doubling email/chat time, creating false efficiency while hindering deep work.

Does A Tool Save Time If You Have To Verify?
Does AI save time if you must verify? I think tools only help when they deliver speed without sacrificing accuracy.

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Laura Earnest

Murphy And Acceptance May 2026 Newsletter from LauraEarnest.com

Murphy and Acceptance

Quick Productivity Tips

Articles This Month:

What Patrons Saw

The Hidden Cost of Being Too Busy: Laura Earnest 24 August 2026

What Deliberate Living Means to Me: Laura Earnest 10 August 2026

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