The Courage To Do Less

The art of doing less isn't merely about becoming more productive employees or businesspeople (though doing less of what is unnecessary may result in greater productivity.) The true benefit of focusing on and taking a break from busyness is that it brings more kindness and love into our lives. With less busyness and unnecessary effort, more kindness and love can rise to the surface, leading to more effectiveness, energy, and focus. When we feel depleted, love is the best replenisher -- which includes the love we feel for ourselves, the love we freely give to others, and the love that comes to us from the people we care for and admire most.

It's worth pointing out that the opposite seems to be true as well. In our increasingly busy and impatient world, people seem to be less kind and patient with each other. Much of that seems to stem from busyness itself and from the increasing attitude that being polite and caring is just another form of wasting time.

When we do less and begin to unravel many of the motivations, worries, and strivings that make us run in circles -- and when we stop trying to second-guess everyone else's motivations, worries, and strivings -- what we find at the very core of ourself and of life, I believe, is kindness and love. Those two glorious things are the most profound levers for accomplishing more, and more of what really matters.

This is not a radical idea. And yet, what a radical idea! What a radical way to live your life! It underpins the best of psychological, spiritual, and contemplative practice. It is the fundamental teaching of all great mystics and is the experience most of us hold deepest in our hearts. We glimpse this basic truth whenever we touch birth or touch death and experience a complete acceptance of the simplicity and sacredness of being human. The more you quiet your mind and let go of striving -- which is all too often someone else's concept of striving imposed on you -- the less you have to "do" and, somehow miraculously, the more that love springs forth from you. I believe that this simple formula is central to being a functioning, happy, and truly contributing human being.

Still, doing less takes courage. Stopping, pausing, reflecting, and fully doing one thing can be much more difficult than reflexively reacting and distracting yourself from what is most essential, most heartfelt, and most needed in your life.

Adapted from LESS: Accomplishing More By Doing Less

 

 

 

Follow Marc Lesser on Twitter: www.twitter.com/doingless

Comments

[writerkate]

03:00 AM on 05/19/2010

These days I often physically can't do all I want to, so I've been forced to come to terms with Doing Less.

For those who are doing less involuntarily this way, I can pass along one tip that helps: take the Less as a gift, and take the time to focus on each thing you DO do, and to enjoy the doing of it.

Kind of like the dieting tip to focus completely on the flavor of each bite, to make up for having fewer bites!

[realitytrumpsbull]

01:59 AM on 05/19/2010

I've met people that think like that before at some jobs. They get fired. Of course, the reason is they're trying to do less, while they're still AT work, and then the boss sees em, and, well, work is work, 4-letter word, we each have to perform some at some point during the week in order to keep the lights on, because bills really don't care if you're stressed out or not. They still demand to be paid. Pesky, annoying things, those bills. Especially when we incur them for stuff like things bought with credit cards.

[Valencie Bathe]

02:32 PM on 05/18/2010

I just got up from a mid morning nap and saw this...I think it applies in my world. I thrive on doing less! Spend time meditating, thinking, writing, breathing sans TV or IPod or cell phone. I walk around in my yard every day for a few minutes (sometimes for many minutes) and spend as much time as possible in my hot tub (usually less than an hour, but it's a blissful hour!) And yet I make a living, working at home, being a good employee and most important, not spending very much money...which allows me time to do less...and so it is. Blessed Be.

[Ljilja]

01:30 PM on 05/18/2010

My family has a cottage near Lake Michigan. One of my favorite things in the world is to go there and just sit on the front porch. When we bought the cottage, I had all kinds of plans to build and improve this and that. Now, none of it seems to matter. Nothing seems more important than sitting on a soft wicker couch on a shady porch. I surround myself with books (I am a passionate reader) but even reading seems to be a distraction. Just sitting and being - that is perfection.

http://graciouslivingdaybyday.com/

[LynnHasselberger]

08:09 PM on 05/17/2010

Great article. Strange how hard it is for some people (me) to do nothing for even a few minutes! Doesn't help to be a tweetaholic.

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/04/help-me-im-tweeting-and-i-cant-get-off-lynn-hasselberger/

[Wendy Chambers]

11:08 PM on 05/17/2010

I walk my dogs twice a day and i take time out to sit under a tree near to the river and this really does help me it can be a 2 minute breathing exercise to a 15 minute meditation session, I take in all the surroundings, sounds and smells and it truly is wonderful and my brain function then returns full and clear, I recommend it and I also recommend this book (written by a friend of mine) for those who dont think they can even take a minute !! It truly works.
http://www.oneminutemeditator.com/