Leonard Cagno's Personal Pledge Fights Workplace Overload with 7 Simple Commitments

Leonard Cagno, a New York-based business leader and Partner at TEG Health & TEG Wellness, has launched a personal pledge addressing the pervasive issue of chronic workplace overload. Drawing from his diverse background in aviation, finance, and entrepreneurship, Cagno emphasizes that "Productivity isn't about doing more. It's about doing the right things in the right order." The initiative responds to alarming statistics: 83% of workers report work-related stress according to the American Institute of Stress, the World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon, studies show frequent task switching can cut productivity by up to 40%, and employees with clear priorities are more than twice as likely to feel engaged. Cagno argues that "Tools are only as good as the systems behind them" and that adding structure can dramatically improve work life.

The pledge centers on seven concrete commitments designed to restore clarity and calm through simple, repeatable behaviors. These include planning the day before it starts with a short priority list, using a 'must do, should do, nice to do' framework to prevent overload, single-tasking for at least 60 minutes daily with notifications off, running a weekly review, protecting one daily reset window, documenting decisions and processes to reduce repeat confusion, and ending the workday on time at least three days per week. To support implementation, Cagno provides a comprehensive Do-It-Yourself Toolkit that is completely free, requiring no services or purchases. This toolkit includes practical steps like writing tomorrow's top three tasks tonight, turning off non-essential notifications for one hour, creating simple checklists, blocking focus sessions, and maintaining a single notes file for decisions and ideas—all aimed at helping individuals take immediate action.

Additionally, a 30-Day Progress Tracker offers a structured approach to build momentum, guiding users from setting daily priorities in week one to reviewing results and refining practices by week four. By framing the solution as starting "small and personal," Cagno empowers workers and leaders to combat systemic issues like constant context-switching and lack of clear priorities. His aviation-inspired perspective—"You can't panic at 20,000 feet. You rely on training, checklists, and process"—highlights the importance of preparation and systems under pressure. This initiative not only addresses individual well-being but also enhances organizational efficiency, making it a timely resource for anyone struggling with modern work demands.