Addicted to Action?
My name is Marijke and I am addicted to action.
I mean, it feels soooo good to get things done.
Science tells me it's true. Completing tasks activates the same short-term feel good dopamine circuitry that underpins other forms of addiction.
But, as I’ve mentioned before - all that doing is not necessary. The thrill of “getting things done” is often the shitty consolation prize for not getting what we actually want.
I probably couldn’t, nor do I want to, rid myself of my bias for action.
But I know this bias serves me well only when it isn’t always in charge, and it isn’t the only voice in my head.
One antidote action addiction that I know is totally a good choice even while I resist it...a little time doing nothing.
Important Note: Scrolling through your phone, binge watching TV, reading, doing chores... this is all doing something, not nothing.
Naturally, as I pull a classic Marijke and make "doing nothing" hard, I'm coming across a slew of articles preaching the importance of doing nothing.
Here are a few I recommend:
Science Says It’s Essential To Make Time To Do Nothing
“The brain requires “downtime”—unstructured time with no goal in mind and no targeted focus of attention.”
Also helpful: this article offers some downtime examples, which I confess I needed.
Why Doing Nothing is Actually One of the Best Things You Can Do
The article totally gets me by including an important section on: “How to not try too hard at doing nothing.”
The Importance of Doing Nothing
For specific workplace/leadership examples.
The Benefits of Resting & How to Unplug
Are you a beginner at this rest idea…maybe still need a little convincing that it won’t interfere with your productivity & success?
This article is a simple primer of the main reasons why doing nothing is good for you.
May you find some time this week to do nothing my dear one!
Love,
Marijke Ocean