Marcus Aurelius kept a note to himself that sounds nothing like an emperor. If you want tranquility, do less.

Do what’s essential. Most of what we do and say is not necessary, and cutting it brings a double reward. More calm, and better work on what remains.

Look at your day honestly. How much of it did you choose? The meetings you attend out of habit. The obligations you accepted because saying no felt rude. The commitments that made sense for a person you no longer are.

Busy feels like progress. Usually it’s the opposite. Every inessential yes is a no to something that mattered more.

Marcus had a test for this, and he applied it to everything. Is this necessary?

Ask it for one week. Not whether it’s useful, or nice, or expected. Necessary.

You’ll be surprised how much of your life was optional.