To do Nothing
‘To do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world…’
Whether you heard it first on the Netflix original drama series, The Crown or came across the (complete) Oscar Wilde quotation, 'To do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world, the most difficult and the most intellectual,’ it holds good both for a Monarch and an Entrepreneur.
In the day-to-day of running a StartUp, it is important to realise the power of Doing Nothing.
Raise your hand if you’ve been asked any of these beloved questions:
1. 'Do you ever relax?'
Or
2. 'Do you ever take time off?'
Or, better yet,
3. ‘Do you ever stop?!'
We’ll ignore the ‘life as an entrepreneur is a holiday’ comments for now. That is for another time.
Personally, it used to be a mark of pride for me. ‘Finally! I’m hustling and people are noticing that. Need to keep up with the pace. Not stopping or slowing down.’
Funny thing is, I have been asked this question, while I was still pursuing a corporate career.
The Boss, let’s call him that, for the duration of this post, asked me, ‘What do you do, to relax?’
I blinked, not knowing how to answer.
‘Relax? I like to keep going. I do read a book now and again. For the most part, I engage in an activity of some sort. That’s all I guess.’
The Boss eyed me silently and after a few moments had passed, asked, ‘Have you ever tried doing nothing?’
‘Doing nothing? Not really.’ It shouldn’t have, but saying as much made me squirm.
‘Try it. It will be hard at first. You must try. Over the weekend, do nothing for an hour at least. It helps!’ The Boss said emphatically and with concern. I had come back to work after a week long sick leave.
I tried my best to try doing nothing. It worked. Doing nothing – not reading that book, or engaging in any other hobby or activity, genuinely doing nothing helped.
The calm and clarity, without doing Yoga, was unlike anything else.
Entering the ‘trep space, I quickly forgot the advise. What I did, directly impacted my financial well being. There were and are enough blog posts and articles which say, ‘Founders! Continue to hustle. Nothing will be handed on a silver platter.’ That is the long story short. The tone almost always conveys, we’re all headed into a never ending battle.
Like I mentioned earlier, when asked those beloved questions, the feeling of pride came in waves.
Until one day, my body nearly gave up.
The Doctor sat me down and said, ‘You’re crazy. You need to stop. You can’t continue like this.’ Exact words.
There are quite a few people I choose not to argue or debate with regardless of what is being said. A doctor is one among them.
The course of action suggested didn’t mention dietary requirements or crazy life-changing steps.
‘Once a week, for a full day, do nothing. No social media, no work related activity, no gym. You will do nothing.’
He understood the demands of running a company, day in day out.
‘There will be no company to run, if the founder is fatigued all the time.’
The Doctor wanted me to stop the clock for 24 hours once a week and be regular in having breakfast.
How tough can it be? Very.
Imagine not being able to do nothing. Not out of choice, but by force. Sounds like a first world problem?
Do not mistake ‘Do-Nothing’ with being lazy.
They are as polar opposites as the poles themselves.
Ever since, I have been to follow the advice. Again. Surprisingly, I’m not the only person who does this. There is sufficient proof to suggest it makes sense to take a break, and do nothing!
I also found company amongst the ‘trep community members, who were asked to include a similar ‘Do-Nothing’ exercise in their routine, from a daily to weekly to yearly basis. Mentors, peers, professionals in the space of peace and calm, everybody was aboard the ‘Do-Nothing’ train.
I guess, you always find information based on what you’re looking out for. Specially in this case, it’s a win-win.
It has had both tangible and intangible impact. For starters, I do not miss breakfast anymore. No matter what.
You do deserve the peace and calm.
Even if it feels like the sky will fall or the earth will split, it won't. It hasn't and it won't.
Before you jump head long into the next task, or begin work on that really long to-do list,
Stop. Breathe in……breath out.....
Plan your ‘Do-Nothing’ time in your calendar. Now.
In case you are having a hard time convincing yourself, I say to you as The Boss said to me,
‘Try it. It will be hard at first. You must try. Over the weekend, do nothing for an hour at least. It helps!’
Let’s get going then?
Humbly,
Volt @ LiveWire
