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We often write about things we do, has done or things we would like to do... But what do we do when we do nothing? Yes nothing. You might think... "Gosh .. What a heck this guy is talking about" and you are right...
I had no idea what to write about so I thought that I would just laterally seat here and do nothing. I ended up watching the screen of my laptop. I had no idea what to write about so I just carried on starring at an empty MS Word document. After a short moment I realised that while doing nothing I actually started to do many things. I started to move my finger in a circle on the laptop pad. Maybe that was a stressful situation for me. You know ... I have to write something quickly and I have no idea! I guess because it was the middle of night. Anyway I thought that doing nothing made me get stressed. Then I realised this might be actually an interesting topic to write about.
Sure, all of you know how to do nothing. Doing nothing is a sweet privilege (most of us know this feeling from childhood). We all love to be lazy from time to time. However, recently I have read that doing nothing is an art, and not everyone can do it properly. Doing nothing is an art of relaxing which should maximise our rest and improve our performance while working. When I was younger, I was really good at doing nothing. Nowadays I feel I am losing that skill. Perhaps because when we grow up we get more and more responsibilities and less free time to waste.
Some say that to be productive you have to learn how to be lazy. Apparently, everyone should get some free time to relax and rest. I know it sounds more like working in the United Kingdom or somewhere else... Sometimes our reality is so busy that we are forgetting how to waste our time efficiently.
Doing nothing could be a waste of time or it could be an art, which can improve the quality of our lives. Therefore, it is in our interest to master this skill. What can we gain by doing nothing? We can get rid of stress and make our lives more enjoyable. Sounds like a lot for me already.
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How can we really master this craft? I have a few hints for you. First, start small. Your session cannot be longer than 5 - 10 minutes. Too much nothing can be very overwhelming at first. Make sure you will find an appropriate place. You probably do not want to do ‘nothing’ at work while your boss is watching you. Trust me this could end up badly for you. Make sure the place you pick will be free of people that usually bother you.
When you succeed in finding the right location, do not forget to stay away from annoying people, make sure they will not be able to reach you via phone, Facebook, TV. You know... just cut it off. Shut off all possible distraction like TV, PC, MAC, FAX, your wife, kids... ok the last two was a joke, I hope you will not burn me alive for my poor sense of humour. Anyway, let me go back to the topic. If you completed stage one, you are ready to close your eyes and do nothing.
Are your eyes closed now? I bet you carry on reading this article. Gosh, you are so difficult to cooperate...
Ok I will give you a second chance. Close your eyes and try not to do a single thing. Do not even think about anythinking. Come back in 5-10 min. If anyone tries to break your laziness, well... do not let them! Be prepared, they will use tricks! When you finish your relaxing, you might go and do something useful for a change. These 5 minutes were like eternity. Know your limit :).
Remember that you have to repeat this exercise to master it. My suggestion is to repeat it every time you accomplish one task and you are ready to move to another. Clearing your mind will allow you to work efficiently.
If you have any difficulties to focus. I have a hint just for you! Try to lay down and concentrate only on your breathing. Start by breathing slowly in and out. Feel the breath entering your nose and going out with thru your mouth. Focus! Nothingness is waiting for you. Do not dear to ignore it. Think of it as your most powerful ally.
If you still have a problem, that means you are not very good at doing nothing :), and you should read the entire article from http://zenhabits.net/the-art-of-doing-nothing/.
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Questions:
Do you think that you are good at doing nothing?
Do you agree with me that doing nothing can be very beneficial?
What is your opinion?
Comments
However, for most people doing "nothing" means really just wasting their time, unfortunately. Watching TV, browsing useless website. That's rarely good for anyone. I believe that time is amongst the most important things you have and seeing how people have it but waste it is painful to me and I can't understand the idea of doing it.
I take joy in "relaxing", but it's not "nothing". Everyone needs to relax once in a while, and "relaxing" is in fact just slowing down and doing things you like at exactly the pace you want them to do to let your brain recharge.
None of those things are really "nothing" though. I believe it's a term that people use out of laziness to describe different kinds of activities. Some people mean great things by "nothing", while others just mean that they are wasting their time.
However, doing nothing nowadays is actually very difficult. A little strange situation when you are at work and you do nothing for ten minutes :D.
As Simon wrote it is worth to go to a lower speed and stop thinking about important issues but about pleasant and relax.
This kind of relaxation is healthy and people need it, cause our brain can regenerate and after time to be again in 100% “functional”. Also, we should at least 2 times per day circa for approx. 15 minutes rest from everyday overload of Informations. I also recommending, popular since last time ASMR movies on YouTube channel.
But mostly I agree with what you wrote in your article - you really have to be productive to let yourself do nothing from time to time. If you want to accomplish the goal your boss, teacher, partner or you personally has set and still have some sweet free time to play, read, dance - whatever makes you happy and relaxed - you have to find a way to do the job quickly and therefore more productively. I identify myself with the words of Gates - "I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it." (www.goodreads.com/quotes/568877-i-choose-a-lazy-person-to-do-a-hard-job). In my opinion that is what defines the importance of 'doing nothing'.
I am confirmed in the belief that it is not the length of vacation and somehow it is much more valuable. As an example I can give you a vacation for high school students. Their holiday lasts 2 months.
It is very long, the same old people can afford two weeks off throughout the year and also relax even more effectively than children.
In my opinion, doing nothing is not beneficial. It only promotes laziness.
From my point of view, the most effective is short intensive recreation where we do something active, not just staying.
Unfortunatly i spend a lot of time on sitting before pc, and play games, wathing something, but really often i completly lost time on that. Especially when i have something to do. When i know i must do something, i'm getting so lazy. And even just lay in bed are just so awesomes idea ;D whn u do nithing u can really relax. Of course easier is to do nothing on fresh air, just lay in the sunlight... i wanna summer ;<
I think it’s good that we do things all the time. Not doing anything seems sad to me. Makes us think about unnecessary things :)
Have you watched a Jim Jarmusch movie „Permanent Vacation”? It’s a sad film about people who don’t have to, and don’t do anything. But you’re writing about temporary not doing anything, which actually is helpful. It’s not doing anything in the long run that seems scary to me…
I am definetelly good at doing nothing, because i'm meditating, that is the best way to get life balance.
I must admit That it happens to me sometimes so chill, then play computer games, read a book or watch a good movie.
Not entirely agree doing nothing That can be very beneficial. If you do it from time to time to regain our strength is ok, but if it happens often at Work That this is not about us well especially when the boss sees it.