I read an interesting blog today that talked about exceptional productivity, and it was very counter-intuitive to modern living.
People think that success, achievement, wealth, innovation are all things to strive for, and that these values are really valuable. But are they? Actually all the data out there shows that these aspirations cause all kinds of problems. Disruption is paid most often by the life/home/family values. This simply won't work long term because, in the end few people really value these objective metrics of success, and most finish up wishing for far more of the subjective ones. According to this article, “Research shows the impacts of overworking: exhaustion, irritation, weakened digestion and immunity.” Who wants this? And this is the byproduct of those things most people are striving for, the values that they think are valuable?
I am not ever interested in any job that creates a tunnel of chronic stress for me. I never want to feel burned out like a 40 day-old piece of toast ever again. There are few things that I value more than meaningful work that leads to significant change in people, cultures, society and countries, but not at the cost of personhood and life anymore. And according to research, despite all the chronic stress and mental and physical health problems that come from the pursuit of success, few find it. There are better ways to live (and to life!), and they actually lead to far better productivity.
The first thing you should do is more of nothing, according to the author, Dr. Seppala. Like I said early on in this post, this is very counter-intuitive and counter-productive to all the overachievers out there. Balance of ambition is a life long negotiation for most of us. We want (need) to find the right balance to integrate our objective and subjective metrics of success, where work and life are . . . balanced. Doing more of nothing is a key element of that, and something that many of us will struggle mightily with at first, because we haven't ever done more of nothing in decades. We don't even know where to start. Luckily for us the author says it succinctly, “The trick to self-mastery actually lies in the opposite of control: effortlessness, relaxation and well-being…relaxation is not only restorative but actually leads enhanced memory and facilitated intellectual understanding.”
Hmmm . . . it is difficult though, for old workhorses, to find a good way to relax. Yesterday I completed a 3000 mile motorcycle trip to Key West Florida where I practiced a week of doing nothing. It was harder and easier than I thought it would be. Maybe I will write another blog about that later, but I digress.
The article continues 2. meditation (and since I am who I am, lets meditate on the majesty and glory of the risen Savior!) and 3. serve others. There are hundreds of blogs out there everyday promoting these three keys to increased productivity, but the one today was especially good on the “do more of nothing” part. You can read Dr Seppala's complete blog here.
