I’ve written quite a lot recently about how my energy has taken a bit of a tumble since finishing my new book. I’ve been taking things very easily, looking after myself and waiting for the energy to return.
One thing I’ve done to help with the resting and recuperating is to call a halt to taking on any new work, and to try to not commit myself to much socially. Neither has been a particularly easy thing to do, has meant saying “no” to friends I’d like to see, events I’d love to attend and clients I hate to disappoint. It’s felt necessary however, and happily seems to be bearing fruit in respect of my improving energy levels.
Effortless productivity?
One thing I’ve noticed about calling this halt to “doing” is that a manageable gentle rhythm seems to be emerging from the quiet. Interestingly I’m still getting stuff done; some blog posts are getting written, the odd podcast recorded, I’m reading a lot, and even going for some gentle walks. In short I’m being surprisingly, and reasonably effortlessly productive. That feels very exciting.
The no-thing to-do list
What I particularly love about this emerging rhythm is that it is devoid of expectation. The things I do do, happen without planning; during the day I may be inspired to work on a blog post (or even to just jot down the idea for one) or I may see something I want to draw, which might in turn inspire something I want to write for my microMag. I have no to-do list to keep to, no work scheduled on my calendar to be prodded (and chivvied along) by. I finding I very much like the calm that my blank (no-thing) to-do list, and empty calendar engenders.
The Big Picture
What I am aware of in all this is that the work I do end up doing is still very focused and is part of what I consider my long term Important Work. I think the ease with which the work is happening is in large part because I have spent time thinking about The Big Picture. Such planning doesn’t need to be difficult, but it is very worthwhile.
A month’s experiment
I’ve decided, that for a month at least, that I’m going to continue to live without a calendar or a to-do list. Socially I’m not going to make any new plans (and will just decide on a day-to-day basis what, if anything I feel like, or feel up to doing). With work I’m going to continue to explore this gentle rhythm that is growing, I’m going to watch how it develops and following my daily inspiration (whilst keeping an eye on my Big Picture to make sure what I do use my energy for is focused and in tune with my Important Work). Wish me luck!
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