Why Doing Nothing Is One of the Most Important Things to Do – Time

I often forget to do nothing. I’m very action oriented.

Recently I’ve started taking a few short breaks during the day. If I’m at work I put my arms on my desk, rest my head in my arms, focus on my breathing and count ten exhalations. If I’m at home I do this laying down, usually counting thirty exhalations. The home practice turns in to multiple ten to thirty minute rest periods throughout the week.

When I’m in the habit of doing this my life is, self-reported, sample size of one, noticeably calmer and more enjoyable.

IMHO, being productive and creative are two almost incompatible things for us mere mortals:

- Being productive requires focus and energy to get things done. Typically, the "obvious" decisions are being made and implemented;

- Being creative, or even thinking out of the box, requires one to relax, get their mind wandering, wait patiently for that creative spurt to come...