The Essential Lesson

The crux of my message is this: You don't want to find yourself in a cycle where every day is consumed by the need to be hyper-productive. The constant pursuit of success and the urge to accomplish every single goal is not only stressful but also draining and ultimately unattainable.

“I had fought relaxation by planning and working and goal-setting my entire life, like the ‘Little Engine that Should’ — pushing ahead of the light. It seems to me that it’s erroneous to think that one can accomplish all his dreams in life. It is a tremendous error to believe that you can make people like you more by driving yourself into the ground and toward perfection. I needed to stop calculating the consequences and outcomes of all my actions. I needed to learn to live in real time through presence, to forget the past (let go) and to stop thinking about the future (let go). I needed to begin to flow and to feel once again — stop preparing so much, and just live.” — Steven Ozanich

Your identity is not tied to your work, achievements, or daily agenda. It’s unrealistic to expect to excel in every pursuit. Many operate under the belief that to succeed, one must strive to be the best at everything. But is it truly necessary to be anything more than average in certain areas?

In the end, you don’t want to realize years later that you toiled endlessly, pushing yourself harder than a racehorse, only to find that it didn’t lead to any greater happiness than if you had taken a different approach. Yes, dedicate effort to what matters to you, but when the work is done, allow yourself to disengage and pursue other interests.

I often find myself getting lost in various projects, and time slips away. If I’m not careful, I could easily work late into the night. Yet, even when I enjoy what I’m doing, I make it a point to stop. Boundaries are necessary—not just for maintaining energy but to ensure I have a life outside of mere productivity.

As Dr. April Wilson aptly puts it, constantly hustling is about being a "human doing" rather than a "human being," which can be detrimental.

“The belief that we are what we do, that we have to earn our place, that we’re only worthy of what we can produce sets us on a roller coaster of self-esteem highs and lows analogous to day trading. ‘Our sense of value fluctuates wildly depending on how much we were able to do that day,’ says Jo Eckler, PsyD…” — Krissy Brady

A Lesson in Leisure

Years ago, during a month-long stay in a small town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, I was struck by a local habit: people would sit on their porches, gazing at the empty street for hours—no music, no books, no distractions. Initially, I was fascinated, but soon I found myself following suit, simply sitting outside, falling asleep in my chair, and lazily continuing my day.

Interestingly, Costa Rica ranks first in the Happy Planet Index, which evaluates countries based on their environmental impact and the well-being of their citizens, while the U.S. is ranked at #108. Upon returning home, I made it a point to spend more time outdoors, observing life around me—and I relished every moment.

“If, then, I were asked for the most important advice I could give, that which I considered to be the most useful to the men of our century, I should simply say: in the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” — Leo Tolstoy

A Simple Reminder

This serves as a gentle reminder to both you and me to occasionally slow down, “stop and smell the roses,” and reflect on the true purpose of productivity. I've previously shared many articles on enhancing productivity, and there’s certainly more to come. However, there’s an equally important aspect: once you reach your destination, it’s vital to switch off the productivity mindset and simply enjoy the journey. Surprisingly, this can be quite challenging.

In life, there are two main objectives: first, to achieve your desires; and second, to relish them. Only the wisest among us truly master the latter. — Logan Pearsall Smith

While growth, learning, hard work, and perseverance are essential, if you cannot savor life, what is the point? Take a moment, breathe deeply, and appreciate the present.

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