In 1370 AD, the first public clock tower was erected in Cologne, Germany, and from that day forward, the clock has been running our lives.
I am still determining where I fall on the time-consciousness spectrum, but I do know that we had a snowstorm last week. And while shoveling, I counted the songs on my Spotify country music playlist to determine how long it took.
And I know that when I read stats like these, they make me crazy:
- According to Arwen Curry, before Edison invented the light bulb, the average person slept eleven hours a night.
- A Senate subcommittee in 1967 was told that by 1985, the average American would work only twenty-two hours a week for twenty-seven weeks a year. (Technology and Social Trends, Kerby Anderson)
- By 2007, the average American worked nearly four more weeks per year than in 1979. (“Vast Majority of Wage Earners are Working Harder,” Lawrence Mishel)
I don’t have a complete solution to our overly time-conscious lives, but scheduling a day to DO NOTHING productive is a great starting point.
Yes, you read that right. Schedule a day to DO NOTHING productive. No work. No grocery shopping. No checking “have-to’s” off your list.
Many societies throughout history have baked this practice into a weekly rhythm called the Sabbath.
Many of you remember a time when stores were closed on Sundays.
So as we close out 2022, let’s spend one of the year’s final days DOING NOTHING.
After all, DOING NOTHING has several benefits:
- Relaxation: Doing nothing allows you to recharge your batteries.
- Creativity: Doing nothing allows your mind to wander and can lead to increased problem-solving skills.
- Increased productivity: Doing nothing can increase your productivity in the long run. It allows you to return to tasks with renewed energy and focus.
- Improved decision-making: Doing nothing allows you to reflect on your choices and consider different options.
- Improved relationships: Doing nothing can also allow you to connect with others and strengthen your connections, which research shows is THE key to long-term success.
One final thought to effectively DO NOTHING IN 2022, put your phone out of reach.