Do Nothing and Actually Do More!

In your business or profession, your mind is engaged and working all the time; problem solving, decision making, evaluating and creating systems, meeting challenges, creating and implementing new ideas, communicating with people on different levels, and more. Our minds can easily be focused on our work and nothing else. You have to consciously and purposefully redirect your mind and thinking to your significant other, family and friends. For some of us that's really hard.

Our minds can really only focus on one thing at a time. That's why multitasking doesn't really work because you get half baked results. Our minds need rest just like the muscles in our bodies. We've all experienced being on edge and snappy because we were tired. 

Nowadays, we all want to be on the cutting edge of effectiveness, find every mind hack and shortcut we can. Not sure this is a worthy endeavour, but I am sure you can do more, more effectively, more focused, more intentional and purposeful, if and when, you learn how to do nothing.

What I mean by 'do nothing' is to 'not do work', but allow your mind's focus to have a rest from your normal work tasks so that it is alive and fresh again on a continual basis. Here are my suggestions, and they've come after many years of trial and error, talks with psychologists, countless books and articles, and I've made a very, very simple recipe for me and you to follow.

Time Outdoors

For me this is an hour walk/run, no headphones no phone, just me, my running shoes and my thoughts. I focus on my breath, I focus on the scenery, the houses, the shops, say hello to passersby, pat the cats, you get the picture. Not rocket science. For you it can be meditating, praying, swimming, gardening, cycling, or even a nice drive with the windows down. Find your thing and unapologetically embrace it. All these activities have a calming effect on the mind lowering stress levels. My best ideas come from my walks.

Time in the Arts

For me it's music appreciation and playing and composing on the piano. I listen to jazz, and am a bit of an audiophile, I love just listening to an album with a glass of red and just enjoying unwinding. For you this could be drawing, painting, dancing, going to a gallery or appreciating art in a book, and more. Time in the arts elevates your mind to a new level where you experience more appreciation, thankfulness, fulfilment and meaning.

Time Creating (away from work)

For me this is both cooking and barbecuing. If you're into mindfulness, according to the more level heading experts, just chopping and onion and being fully present in the moment is mindfulness. Also, because you don't want to slice your fingers! Some of my clients get into a bit of woodwork, sewing, calligraphy, and like me, come up with yummy food to enjoy. Because creating something forces us to be in 'that moment' our minds stop racing, analysing and worrying. 

Time Zoning Out

This could also be called 'emptying your mind'. For me it's journaling and writing, but particularly journaling because of the power of putting your thoughts on paper and 'emptying' your mind. When you put things on paper, things become clearer, they lose their 'weight', they become more manageable and you can dissect the problem or situation much more easily so you can regain control.

For you this can be as simple as binge watching your favourite streaming service. It can be playing video games, as a psychologist once told me. It can be getting lost in a really good book. Zoning out or emptying your mind is all about stopping the mind from replaying scenarios, and what might have been, or what you 'should' be doing. 

Putting it all together

We can get so caught up with our mega to do list that our minds know only to do one thing, and that is to create more work. I would start by writing down some ideas of what might work for you. I'm sure I haven't covered everything, like playing with the kids for an hour, as mine is all grown up! I hope this has helped you even a little bit, and I am available to answer questions and comments. 

I believe that you, in your profession or business, have much to offer the people directly around you everyday, and the world around you. If you put even one of these things in place into your life and schedule, everyone will notice it because you will be more 'in the moment' around them, truly focused, sincerely listening, and excited and energised to help them, and they'll love the change! 

Here's to your success and well-being.