You don’t need to accomplish things to matter

Not long ago, a client of mine—let’s call her Maya—shared something that struck me.

“I had a rare Sunday with nothing urgent on my plate. My kids were with their grandparents. My inbox was quiet. I could have done anything. Instead of feeling relaxed, I panicked. I literally didn’t know what to do with myself.”

She laughed softly but tears were in her eyes. “I realized . . . I don’t know how to exist without a task list. If I’m not accomplishing something, I feel like I don’t...