By Leo Babauta
I’ve seen that so many people are extremely targeted on getting stuff carried out. Productiveness programs and instruments, anxiousness about being behind on all of the issues we now have to do, an entire deal with all of the stuff to do, on the exclusion of all else …
However right here’s the factor: if you happen to ever get actually actually good at executing and getting stuff carried out … you understand that it’s an empty, meaningless recreation. I’m an affidavit to that — I’m superb at getting issues carried out. And I can completely crush my process listing for months on finish. And on the finish of all of that, I nonetheless don’t really feel way more happy.
There’s some satisfaction in getting a bunch of issues carried out, however that’s not what actually drives us. What drives us is concern — concern of what is going to occur if we fall too far behind, if we drop all of the balls we now have within the air, if we are able to’t get a way of self-worth by means of accomplishment. Our concern is absolutely about what it’s going to imply about ourselves if we don’t get stuff carried out.
That concern by no means goes away, regardless of how a lot you get carried out. It’s like a intercourse addict who has a ton of intercourse, and nonetheless doesn’t really feel fulfilled, and has to go get extra. We’re addicts who’re by no means fulfilled.
What would occur if we determined to not play that recreation? If we may put aside for a second the fears that drive us, the hope that we’ll ever end every part, the hope that we’ll in some way get a sense of being adequate if we’re good at getting issues carried out?
What’s past all of that?
I don’t know the reply, however right here’s what I’m discovering:
- First, that the second is ideal, and getting stuff carried out just isn’t required with the intention to obtain peace, freedom, happiness, play, pleasure, curiosity, connection, love, or anything I actually need. I can sit proper right here and be current with the marvel of the current second.
- Second, though nothing else is required … there’s stuff I need to create! I need to make a podcast, for instance — and that’s my motivation for getting my butt in gear. To not get stuff carried out, to not hold all of the balls within the air, to not hold my head above water … however to create what I’m dedicated to creating on the planet.
- Third, I can play any recreation I need to play. I may play the sport of checking issues off my process listing endlessly, however that’s not very enjoyable after awhile. As an alternative, I could make up different video games — what about getting on calls with individuals and discovering their life’s function collectively? Or discovering out what their coronary heart desires most? Or bringing like to no matter is getting in the way in which of that? Or possibly I may uncover a brand new recreation in the present day that I’d wish to play.
- Fourth, my coronary heart desires to specific itself in some ways. It’s expressing itself with this text proper now, but it surely may need to specific itself by means of a podcast, by means of a name with a training consumer, or by go outdoors and having fun with motion in nature. That is a lot extra satisfying than the sport of getting stuff carried out.
- Fifth, I’m discovering sacredness in every day. Within the work that I’m doing, and in not doing something. In conversations with individuals, and in conversations with nature. In my coronary heart’s expression of affection, and within the fears and wrestle I face. That is a lot richer than simply specializing in getting stuff carried out. And I’m discovering the sacredness in getting stuff carried out that issues to me.
These are just a few observations I’ve discovered within the house past getting stuff carried out. What may you discover there?
