Do Nothing!

Society is obsessed with work. It treats work as virtue itself. Or, even a “highest good.”

We’re culturally conditioned, mostly, to treat work as the whole of life rather than just one part of it.

Spoken or unspoken, we’ve been trained more to live to work instead of work to live.

That training gets us to feel guilty of or suppress leisure, relaxation, or just doing nothing.

Bertrand Russell, explaining in his essay “In Praise of Idleness,” writes:

“The wise use of leisure, it must be conceded, is a product of civilization and education. A man who has worked long hours all his life will become bored if he suddenly becomes idle. But without a considerable amount of leisure, a man is cut off from many of the best things ... “

The philosopher offers a takeaway here. He is implying that leisure, doing nothing, can lead to the best things in life.

A CEO media entrepreneur, William, takes a long break and vacation from daily business, doing nothing.

In a recent session, he shared specifically that his “idleness” has helped him heal from his personal problems and grow better. It makes him a more productive CEO!

In a psychological research on “Autopilot: The Art and Science of Doing Nothing,” Andrew Smart makes a strong case for spending more time idle.

He writes, “Through idleness, great ideas buried in your unconsciousness have the chance to enter your awareness ... Being idle may be the only real path to self-knowledge.”

So, it’s ok, take that walk, take that trip, take that nap, doing nothing.

You’ll be better after.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light,” offered Jesus to all. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Secrets of Your Self: