How hard is it for you to do nothing?

Over the past few months, as you may know, I have been working on an edit of my first book to get it ready for a promotion I’m hoping to run sometime this century!

In order to focus on the edit, I’ve been ignoring other things that need to be done. Because basically I just want this project finished.

As a result, a lot of the good work I did at the start of the year has been undone. I’d cleared my desk paperwork mountain, got my e-mails down to a single page (under 50), I’d even tidied up the office.

But now, as I look around, all I see is mess. Paperwork on my desk, stuff all over the place in the office, e-mails getting out of hand again.

The Joy Diet by Martha Beck was recommended to me last week. It’s a 10-week programme to help you feel more joy in your life.

Week 1: Do nothing.

Not all day, just for 15 minutes a day – but I can feel myself resisting the very idea of it (which is often an indicator that I need it very much).

Because I have stuff to do. E-mails to clear, paperwork to get off my desk, an office to re-discover under all the stuff piled on top of it.

So the idea of 15 minutes of doing nothing is HELL!

However, I know that if I do it, I’ll feel better, feel calmer, the stress of ignoring all the tasks to be done (which somehow magnifies them) will reduce. And I’ll most likely realise that it’s not so bad really.

The office tidy up will only take 10 minutes. The paperwork is the work of an hour, no more. The e-mails will take a couple of hours, but if I can do half an hour a day this week, that should see it wrestled back under control.

See that’s the problem with endless busyness and pushing yourself ever onwards – there is no chance to gain perspective, to remember to breathe, to notice your shoulders are up around your ears and relax, to remember that it’s all ok. It’ll all get done.

We think we should be working hard, accomplishing things, doing more and more and more. In fact, we’re more efficient and effective when we slow down, chill out and relax.

Also, life’s a lot more fun when you’re not stressed and running around with your hair on fire!

So, if you’ll excuse me, I have some nothing to do.