THE BOLD (From Treadmill to Tremendous):
Yesterday, we discussed the difference between being busy, churning on a treadmill of meaningless activity and being beneficial by making choices that matter. So how do you know what matters?
The Whisper (A Different Way to Work):
The designer William Morris (think leafy Arts and Crafts wallpaper that hangs in the foyer in a Merchant Ivory film) famously presented his golden rule for creating harmony in our environment. “Have nothing in your houses,” he asserted, “that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” What if we began to think of our efforts in the same way? “Expend no effort on things that you do not know to be beneficial or believe to uplifting?”
Not every effort will lead to the desired result, of course. However, if we are clear about our goals and our values, then we can begin to make better decisions about which efforts we will make, which projects we will build and which entertainments we will enjoy.
Question Your Motives
What if, in the moment, faced with a limitless list of possible activities, we asked ourself some version of the following questions? Clearly, any choice will probably only answer one or two of these considerations.
Is the task or activity I’m considering:
1. Consistent with my beliefs, values, and mission?
It may seem silly or perhaps overblown, but if the thing you are considering spending your time doing is not something you should be doing, don’t do it. People of faith talk about a calling–connecting to a plan or purpose that is determined above the day to day considerations of survival and self interest. Some calls are bigger than others. Does your proposed action have a sense of calling?
1. Going to take me closer to a goal?
The goal may be big or small, short term or lifelong. You may have set the goal for yourself or it may have been imposed on you by a boss or loved one. The question is, will the action count, or are you flattering the naked Emperor of busy-ness?
2. Going to strengthen a relationship or benefit others?
Without attention, our relationships wither. Without relationships, we wither.
3. Going to refresh me?
Take a nap if it will energize you. Wander through an art gallery if it will inspire you. Not all actions that are beneficial have a direct tether to achievement.
4. Going to enable me to work more smoothly in the future?
If it will take you three times as long to prepare a meal in a kitchen piled with dishes, a few minutes spent seeing to basic cleanliness will pay off in the long run. If you are truly lazy, it makes sense to invest in your long term leisure with a small investment in short term maintenance.
5. Going to help me develop as a person–physically, spiritually, professionally, intellectually?
Growth is a goal in and of itself. Some growth is organic, a by-product of useful activity. We learn from our mistakes and develop skill from repetition. However, some growth is only possible if we deliberately seek and nurture that growth.
It’s That Simple. It’s That Difficult
There are so many noises, offers, opportunities, ideas, distractions and demands vying for our attention. We can use great systems to track our projects and enumerate our commitments. In the moment, though, it is our connection to our intentions, goals and desired results that enable us to determine if a possible activity will deliver one of these five benefits.
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