My last post brought mixed reaction from friends and readers through comments, emails and tweets.
As I reflect on what I wrote, and observe my lifeI wrote the post, I realize that what I was feeling and acting upon, when I said that I want to do nothing, is that I was releasing the bounds of “shoulds” from my life.
I have, since I wrote the last post, been more productive than I had been in a long time. That post was a reflection of the shift I experienced through self examination and self reflection.
I have made a commitment to myself, since then, to not allow ideas that insult my intelligence to control my thoughts and as a result my actions. I had a tendency to accept EVERYTHING coming from people whom I respected and looked up to, and at times it frustrated me. Now I have adopted one simple rule to live by.
If it doesn’t FEEL RIGHT, don’t take any action.
There is a common belief that something is better than nothing. This belief is based in lack thinking and I reject it. Something is not ALWAYS better than nothing. The fact remains that NOTHING is better than something, if that something is not in harmony with your desires, values and intention.
Up until now, I was spending every opportunity possible to work to make money, when in reality my intentions have been to create residual income, meaning, creating a life environment that enables me to work as little as possible, and live as much as possible.
Working when I didn’t feel like working to please family members who believed that something is better than nothing, rather than living the life I wanted to live, doing things that were important to me, has drained me of my motivation to do the work I want to do, to create continuous value through my work, which will create continuous and residual income. That has been up until now. No longer am I willing to sell my soul to please others.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you do? How did you overcome it? There maybe others who can benefit from your experience and resulting wisdom, so go ahead share it with us in the comments, or write a post on your blog and link back to this one.
If you found value in this post, Tweet it, Stumble it, Digg it. You’ll feel good that you’re able to help others as well.
Hi Rasheed!
When I was in business school, we always had to look at the risks and opportunities for taking action. One of the choices was always “Do Nothing”. I think in our high paced world, we are quick to decide to move fast, take action, and look for something better. I am learning more and more that it might be a better idea to do less, slow down the decision process, and sometimes do nothing at all.
There is one example I can think of that demonstrates how I used to do things compared to do them now. When I started my first business, I was quick to get everything going NOW. I ended up getting very frustrated with my web designers (who were friends of mine) and nearly ruining a relationship because of it. Yes, it could have been done faster, but at what cost?
Recently, I have decided to move my coaching program to video. My friends who offered to help were going through a tough time, so I dropped it. About a month later, many things had changed in their lives. They suddenly have a ton of time, and since there was no pressure, we’ve both had time to think of new and creative ways to deliver the information in an exciting new way that hasn’t been done before.
What I got out of the experience was this: Doing Nothing doesn’t mean doing nothing forever, it might just mean to Do Nothing for now.
Hey Brooke,
Thanks for the comment and the validations that doing nothing is always a choice, even in Business School.
“What I got out of the experience was this: Doing Nothing doesn’t mean doing nothing forever, it might just mean to Do Nothing for now.”
Very well put, Thanks.
Rasheed
Do whatever you damned well please.
Cathy Elaine´s last [post] ..Starting Off 2010 With a Sis-Boom-Bang
You got that right, Cathy.
All we have to do is make sure that whatever we do is moving us in the direction we want to go.
or not.
Rasheed
Hi Rasheed – “Do Something” has only gotten more acute as society has moved to a more fast pace speed. The overflow of information has contributed to this even more. There is a lot of wisdom in stopping, reflecting and potentially taking no action. In there is a concept called “No Mind” or mushin and it supports moving meditation (in Karate for example). Often times doing nothing is an absolutely fine course of action and there is nothing wrong with this. Sometimes doing anything is better than nothing so, ultimately the course of action depends on the situation. Regardless, nice post and good ideas here.//Marc
Hey Marc,
Welcome! and thanks for jumping right in, I appreciate it. Take a look around and feel free to leave a comment elsewhere if you feel like it.
I like your analogy of moving meditation. Thanks
Rasheed
Hi Rasheed,
This is a question I’m considering in my life now and in the last few articles I’ve written. When we are uncertain or in low-energy inertia, what do we do? Isn’t there wisdom in allowing and watching? Doing nothing is difficult to do. Our conditioning and beliefs and social pressures of course tell us to pick a direction and move.
Thanks for considering this important question.
k
Kaushik,
Hi and welcome!
Thanks for the comment and extending the conversation. Yes, it is a challenge and I have always believed that that which doesn’t kill us, makes us strong. So keep hanging in there and you’ll come through to the other side with more strength.
You have a great blog. I’ll have to make time to peruse through it some more.
Rasheed