In today’s world, we have created a culture where to be constantly productive is equivalent to being successful. We apologize over lunch with a friend when the cell vibrates, as if being always available for work or other “emergencies” means we really do matter. Even if it also means we just sacrificed those five minutes of face to face relating with someone we care about.
However, in a society where being busy is equated with success, some are calling for a “time out” and a return to slowness. Our last Optimist View discussed this movement in higher education, but slowness is equally valid in other areas of life.
Taking time to nap, walk, read, or meditate between big projects will not cause your productivity to dwindle, but rather will reboot your mental energy to create even higher quality work in the future. As this lovely source article argues, “Thinking is working too.”
So next time you finish a big task, take a moment to rest and reflect before diving into the next project. You may be surprised to find improved caliber in what you create.
