A case agents constantly productive; Why the opposite will make you more happy and fulfilled

Being constantly productive can be a paradox when it comes to a fulfilling life. Because the opposite of what you set out to accomplish becomes your anguish.

We remember more when we handwrite notes. We solve problems when we have time to walk away and contemplate them in our subconscious. We retain knowledge during our sleep cycle. Eating unprocessed slow cooked food is healthier for you. Walking is just as healthy as running. Self-reflection helps us process our emotions. Writing in a gratitude journal can bring us contentment and happiness. Spending physical time in the presence of family and friends can raise well-being.

What I'm getting at is that wasting time, being slow and unproductive, doing less can make us happier, more content, and have a more fulfilling life.

Embracing a basic and unproductive lifestyle

What is wrong with a slow unproductive day? A slow basic, simple, staple lifestyle?

All I'm saying is that I would prefer a slow-cooked meal, with basic raw ingredients over a fast-food meal. I would prefer walking to work, rather than being stuck in traffic. Even if those activities take longer and slow me down, resulting in wasted time that I could of been doing something productive, they ultimately bring me joy.

When was the last time you sat down with yourself and did nothing? Why are we living a fast-paced busy life? Ask yourself, does it serve you, or are you in the service of someone else?

I know this isn't an option for most; we live in a time where productivity is the only way to live. I say, no money is, not time.

The pursuit for autonomy

What are you optimizing for? Everyone thinks they're just one to-do list away from becoming a billionaire.

Do you really think that wealth brings you happiness and a fulfilling life? Sure it's a nicety, the sad news is it doesn't; what brings happiness in one's life is autonomy. The very thing you are doing in order to chase that magic dragon is the very reason you have an empty void of meaning and purpose in your life. That fallacy we tell ourselves, "I'm important because I'm busy."

I always think to myself whenever I see someone rushing off to a meeting or speeding in a car to get to work. "If you're important, they will wait." This idea of being busy, in my eyes, just means you're not important enough to wait around for. And the value you put on your own time is cheap.

Individual aspirations

There is nothing wrong with a fast or slow lifestyle. What matters is your motivations.

Why are you busy; is it for some greater goal you aspire to be or have, or are you just doing whatever everyone else is doing around you? Is that email so important that you need stay behind to write and send it out before the weekend, or can it wait until Monday?

Here is a little story you might have heard about the businessman and the fisherman. That will shine a little light on who think we should live our lives.

On a nice soft breezy day, a businessman needed to go for a walk on a beach between meetings to relieve some stress from his chaotic workday. As he was walking, he stumbled across a man relaxing and fishing in the mid afternoon sun. He noticed the man, as a polar opposite of his situation. Why was this man fishing instead of working?

"You aren't going to catch many fish with a single line, relaxing in the sun!" He said jokingly

Awoken by the businessman's comment, he rebutted, "And what would be the point of that?"

This confused the businessman, thinking it was obvious. "If you caught more fish, you could sell more, and with those earnings, you could slowly build up a fleet of fishing boats over the years, and then employ workers to fish for you."

Again, the fisherman replied, "And what would be the point of that?"

This fisherman started to annoy the businessman. "Then after a few years when you have a fleet and employees doing the work for you, you could spend the rest of your day relaxing, doing what you wanted, and enjoying your leisurely time at the beach."

Again, the fisherman replied with a smile this time, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"

Reflecting on the end goal

What is your end goal?

Is it to enjoy your life as you live it, or is it to rush to the end so you can finally enjoy the remainder of it with more luxuries?

Maybe you enjoy the rush, the chaos, the constant go, go, go lifestyle because that is who you are. That is what brings meaning and purpose into your life. And I say, what are you without that drive, without the job? Because you are not your job; you are not your career.

There is more to life then just optimising and working.

Me, I love relaxing, getting my work done, and enjoying a simple slow life. Reading, writing, occasionally watching movies and playing video games. Eating and cooking at home, with simple ingredients. With time to reflect on my day, without stress or anxiety from a never-ending to-do list.

Sure, to achieve this I had to take a less well-paid job and not have all the luxuries or newest gadgets or transportations. But what I sacrifice in so-called modern luxuries, I make up with more time to myself and what I want to do. Because there is nothing on my to-do list apart from 'be content.'

What are you optimizing for?