Friday
May302008
The Importance of Doing Nothing
Friday, May 30, 2008 at 10:38AM
I'd describe myself as well-above-average when it comes to productivity. Wait, scratch that. I'd say that I have the potential to perform at well-above-average productivity levels, but that it requires that I actually have something to do. At my last job I frequently worked solid 10-12 hour days, and leaving little time for other activities. I often joked that it was a good thing I had no life, otherwise I wouldn't be able to do my job. I had invested myself deeply in my project and it was very important to me that I not be the limiting factor in its progress.
by blumpy
Lately, I haven't done much. Work has been slow, and when I spend an entire day at work with little to show for it, I'm even less inclined to be productive once I get home. Occasionally I feel guilty about not producing anything of value for a certain period of time. But then I think about it, and it really depends on what you define as valuable. Production and efficiency are valuable because they are required for our economy, but relaxation, reflection, and contemplation are valuable because they are required for our humanity.
by carf
When I was working like crazy, I never had the opportunity for those humanity-related things. In fact I'd say that the more I worked, the less I thought. My brain would essentially turn off. Being good at your job frequently means that you've managed to reduce it to a series of repetitive tasks that are based on prior experience and instinct. If you are able to do something quickly and effectively, it probably means you aren't thinking about it.
by spcoon
Now I have the opportunity to think and I'm not sure I want to go back to the alternative. Oh sure, when work picks up again I will put in my time, get the job done, and probably do so at level above-average for my workplace. But I won't be so willing to sacrifice my own time for sake of a little extra productivity.
by gak
Having time to "do nothing", to just think, relax, wander, and explore random lines of thought has become more valuable to me than earning a few extra dollars. This blog is both an excuse to find that time, and proof of it's value. I'd rather be remembered by the words I've written here than the code I've written for someone else.
by barcoder96
by blumpy
Lately, I haven't done much. Work has been slow, and when I spend an entire day at work with little to show for it, I'm even less inclined to be productive once I get home. Occasionally I feel guilty about not producing anything of value for a certain period of time. But then I think about it, and it really depends on what you define as valuable. Production and efficiency are valuable because they are required for our economy, but relaxation, reflection, and contemplation are valuable because they are required for our humanity.
by carf
When I was working like crazy, I never had the opportunity for those humanity-related things. In fact I'd say that the more I worked, the less I thought. My brain would essentially turn off. Being good at your job frequently means that you've managed to reduce it to a series of repetitive tasks that are based on prior experience and instinct. If you are able to do something quickly and effectively, it probably means you aren't thinking about it.
by spcoon
Now I have the opportunity to think and I'm not sure I want to go back to the alternative. Oh sure, when work picks up again I will put in my time, get the job done, and probably do so at level above-average for my workplace. But I won't be so willing to sacrifice my own time for sake of a little extra productivity.
by gak
Having time to "do nothing", to just think, relax, wander, and explore random lines of thought has become more valuable to me than earning a few extra dollars. This blog is both an excuse to find that time, and proof of it's value. I'd rather be remembered by the words I've written here than the code I've written for someone else.
by barcoder96
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