Most people try to fix it by adding more bricks, with few considering that the smarter move might be to remove the red brick that’s causing the problem in the first place. It’s a metaphor that almost always lands because in environments that reward addition, we’ve forgotten how powerful subtraction can be.
This kind of thinking becomes especially valuable in workplaces where complexity creeps in slowly and silently. We inherit systems, take on tasks, and accept responsibilities without questioning whether they still serve a purpose.
People are waking up to the idea that constant hustle isn’t a badge of honour, but a barrier.
Before long, our days are governed by processes that no one remembers creating and meetings that exist because they always have. In most cases, no one is deliberately designing complexity; it’s simply accumulating in the background.
That’s how red bricks get embedded in our routines and why they’re so easy to ignore.
When we start removing those bricks, even one at a time, we experience a noticeable shift. We reclaim energy, think more clearly and give ourselves a moment to breathe, creating space for deeper work, better decisions, and more meaningful impact.
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Letting go can feel uncomfortable. There’s often a quiet fear that if we stop doing certain things like attending that recurring meeting, replying instantly to every message, staying across every detail, we’ll fall behind, be seen as disengaged or not a team player.
But I’d argue the opposite. When we hold on to everything, we dilute our focus and compromise our ability to show up fully where it counts.
Leaders, in particular, need to be conscious of the signals they send, and making deliberate choices about where we invest our time and energy sets the tone for our teams to do the same.
Small moves, big shifts
The good news is that red brick thinking doesn’t require a dramatic overhaul. You don’t need to cancel half your diary or pull apart your entire work structure.
It starts with one small decision: identifying one thing that no longer adds value and letting it go and that single action often sparks momentum.
- Cancel the meeting that has no clear purpose.
- Politely step back from a committee you joined out of obligation.
- Delegate a task that drains your energy but lights someone else up.
These are the kinds of small, strategic moves that create breathing room and, from there, better thinking, stronger execution and more satisfying work.
As we move into a future where adaptability, clarity, and wellbeing are essential to performance, we need to stop equating busyness with success.
People are waking up to the idea that constant hustle isn’t a badge of honour but a barrier and the professionals who thrive in 2026 will be the ones who know how to focus, edit, and protect their capacity. Doing less is a bold step forward … one red brick at a time.
Donna McGeorge is a productivity expert and author of Red Brick Thinking (Wiley $32.95, out on November 10), a bold new call to simplify work by removing what no longer adds value. Learn more at www.donnamcgeorge.com.
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