The Universe Doesn’t Want You to be Productive, It Wants You to Be this Instead
Have you ever worked so much that you felt like a machine and if not then I am pretty sure, you must have had that desire to make a long to-do list and check off all the tasks by the end of the day?
However, every single day, you spend most of your day either thinking about how you have so much to do while searching on YouTube ‘How to be Productive’ or you must start your mornings so fast that you don’t even get to know when it’s already night.
If this sounds anything like you, I have good news for you.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE PRODUCTIVE LIKE A MACHINE TO MAKE IT BIG IN THE WORLD
Now, I am pretty sure that some people might want to differ as for as long as we can remember, we have been guided towards doing as much as we can to make the most out of our time. Because if you are sitting ideally doing nothing, people call it out. Besides, no matter what you have done in a day if you find yourself taking rest, the inner voice starts screaming, ‘You could have done XYZ, or you could have used this time to make more money or things like that which doesn’t allow you to use your time for sipping tea in ease.
I wouldn’t blame you because I was one of those people who had a belief that my race is against time and if using these 24 hours/day, Bill Gates can become rich then why am I complaining?
Hands down!
I read numerous books and watched YouTube on productivity, and even when I wasn’t able to use all the 24 hours, I found myself repetitively self-sabotaging and cursing myself that I am the ONLY person on this planet who wastes time because everyone seems to use their time in the best way possible (on social media at least)
However, after studying, experimenting, and learning a lot about slow living and the journey of successful people, I have come to the conclusion that
“THE UNIVERSE DOESN’T WANT US TO BE PRODUCTIVE, IT RATHER WANTS US TO BE CREATIVE”
Productivity is for machines, creativity is for humans.
Humans designed machines/robots using their creativity not by being productive. The idea of making an airplane that allows you to travel worldwide while racing with clouds and touching the sky is creativity, or do you think otherwise?
The idea of this very platform, Medium, is creativity, not productivity.
Yes, working on a creative idea is about productivity but what you need to realize is that WORKING like a machine 24/7 can be done by machine so why waste your time on something that can be perfectly done without any error on a single click?
In fact, the data says automation has the potential to eliminate 73 million US jobs by 2030, which would equate to a staggering 46% of the current jobs.
Now, let me ask a new question, do you really want to burn yourself every single day for a job that is easily replaceable by AI/automation?
Well, I can hear you say NO!
Honestly, a lot of jobs are already being replaced by AI. And what you, I, and society as a whole are doing is trying to be a human machine by focusing on BECOMING PRODUCTIVE.
Although, there is nothing wrong with getting your tasks done on time but most people have bought the idea of doing work 24/7 so that there is nothing unfinished left on our to-do list. Most people, especially people from the age of 18 to 30, overwork to a point where they feel burnout and mentally drained.
Tell me, how can a mentally drained person do a job accurately let alone be creative?
People of our age think that we need to become millionaires as soon as possible so that we can get fame and money all at once. However, we don’t realize that not even a single person on this planet became filthy rich because they were racing against time. People who made it big in the world are the ones who had a revolutionary idea, a creative idea.
Yes, all those people worked their ass off on their idea but did any of them wasted their time working on a task that could be an easy replacement by any random human or machine?
Well, my answer is NO.
Now, the question is what should you do?
Let’s see:
The answer is simple- The Universe hasn’t designed you to be another machine but to be the most creative version of yourself. The Universe hasn’t given birth to you so that you can come on the planet, work like a donkey 24/7 on orders and DIE!
I am sorry if that sounded rude but don’t you think that’s the reality?
Don’t you think that your birth on this planet has more to do than just racing against time? Don’t you think that you are born to make a difference in this world? Don’t you think you have a higher purpose to serve? Don’t you think YOU ARE BORN TO BE REMEMBERED AS A LEGEND rather than a machine who used to work really hard? Don’t you think that the Universe is looking at you right now, waiting for you to use your hidden talent and make the best out of it (not most but best)?
Well, if you never thought about it, now is the good time to take a pause and ask yourself ‘what are you trying to achieve in your day (every single day)?
If these questions made you think even for a minute, I have 4 suggestions for you that I follow and I think you should too if you want to lead a creative life:
4 Creative Rules to Live By:
1. Master ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’:
There is a concept called, doing nothing. Have you heard about it? Sure you did but let’s be honest here. Tell me how brutally you judge yourself when you find yourself doing nothing (or others)?
Honestly, I used to self-sabotage whenever I felt like taking a break or just not doing anything as I had a belief that if I am doing nothing then I am wasting my time.
But the reality is, you and I are the victims of this idea of extreme productivity which is sold by successful people so that you always stay on the bottom while they take an elevator and reach the top.
I want you to understand the beauty of doing nothing and how doing nothing can help you become more creative.
When you are working on something or the other all the time, it gets really tough for you to think straight and creatively. For example, I don’t do anything after 6 PM, I call it a day and then I just have my tea, read, make my bed, go for a walk and just sit on my balcony.
And I can say from my experience that that’s the time when I feel most creative and creative ideas just start dancing in my head.
So, I ask you to schedule time in your day for doing nothing. And make it about doing Nothing. Don’t expect your brain to generate creative ideas too because that way, you aren’t leaving your brain alone. Let your mind wander to different distant places and see what you feel.
2. Follow the 80/20 Principle:
The 80–20 rule, or Pareto Principle asserts that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of all causes (or inputs) for any given event. It stands true in your real life too. Only the 20% of tasks from your to-do list bring 80% results in your life.
Hence, instead of making a long to-do list purely out of motivation, try to make a dedicated to-do list that includes 2–3 tasks that are extremely important and bring 80% results in your life.
Now, the other tasks that are small and not so important can go into your might to-do list which you can do if you have time and energy.
When you make a long to-do list, you expect yourself to become a machine and get everything done. However, when you aren’t able to, you curse yourself for wasting time which needless to say lowers your self-confidence.
3. Start Your Day with This Question:
Most of us start our day by looking at the time and cursing ourselves for oversleeping. The rest of the morning follows the exact same route where we rush to take a bath, eat breakfast ASAP or skip it and go to the office/college. Isn’t it?
I was like that. Although, I had no place to go as I am a freelance writer yet I used to be in a hurry like I had a flight to catch.
But enough is enough!!
I decided to transform myself and my routine so that I am more dedicated and devoted in a day.
Hence, the first thing in the morning I do is to ask myself, ‘How do I want to spend this beautiful day? Do I want to hurry or take things slow?’
The answer entirely depends on you. However, when you ask this question, you really bring yourself back to the present moment which helps you become calm. This simple question helps me to actually THINK what I expect from my day and what are my intentions which again helps me to enjoy the day rather than just passing by it.
4. Read and Mind Map:
Although, I have read more than 200 self-help books if you really want to be creative, avoid self-help books and read books that belong to either your own industry or something that you are interested in learning
When you read books written by your industry experts, you not only get a full stack of knowledge but your brain subconsciously starts registering all this information and helps you come up with more interesting and creative work.
Remember, Junk in, Junk out!
To remember what you read and to keep things organized in one place, I suggest you should use Mind-maps as it pushes you to think more creatively and focus on only important information.
Conclusion:
I hope after reading this, you won’t race against time and be more focused on being Creative and alive. Because remember, The Universe Doesn’t Want You to be Productive, It Wants You To Be Creative, YOUR BEST SELF.
Renuka gawrani
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