Comments on: Beyond Thinking and Doing, Towards Wisdom

By: kareljeanmtupas

kareljeanmtupas — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:09:09 +0000

Inspiring post! I have always wondered the difference between productivity and personal development. Now, things are way clearer. Thanks for sharing this. I also love the fact that you explained things here using Philosophy.

By: Emma McCreary

Emma McCreary — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:32:21 +0000

This reminds me of the interplay of yin and yang – it’s the dance that danced the Universe into existence. There is always the tension between the two – between doing and being, between inner and outer. And there is always some of one in the other – in doing, one must have a center that is connected to the purpose of the doing, or it is empty and burns itself out. In being, one must push that being out into action or it stagnates and becomes self-absorbed.

I also make a distinction between personal and spiritual growth and “self-improvement”. The latter is much more yang and about being “a better person” – whereas spiritual growth to me is more about acceptance of the moment, of all the faults we have, and bringing them to the spiritual path and doing our thing to contribute anyway. It’s a sense of going into what is, rather than trying to change it. And paradoxically, this leads to real transformation, rather than surface changes.

I’ve been playing with productivity for the past year or so, and it is a journey of its own. You start with trying on other peoples’ tools and trying to “improve” – and you gradually encounter and accept and work with more of your individual unique self. I think the productivity journey *is* personal growth, if you approach it as such. (Of course I tend to approach everything as such LOL).

PS I don’t think your name is uncool at all. =)

Emma McCrearys last blog post..Does God matter? How to listen to the subtle harmony of life.

By: Zoe

Zoe — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:07:57 +0000

I like when you wax philosophical

Eloquently expressed, and I completely agree.

Zoes last blog post..How to Make Your Own Creative Mini-Retreat: Journaling and Visioning

By: Catherine Cantieri, Sorted

Catherine Cantieri, Sorted — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:22:55 +0000

Absolutely beautiful, Charlie. I really like "the productivity pr0n and personal development woo" - it captures how empty each branch is without the other! Catherine Cantieri, Sorteds last blog post..Amazing Web Productivity Tools: LinkedIn

By: judyofthewoods

judyofthewoods — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:37:22 +0000

"Productivity without perspective and intention is just wheel-spinning. Personal development without action is just daydreaming." Charlie, Productive Flourishing Added to my quotes list judyofthewoodss last blog post..Changes to Subscriptions to Judy of the Woods

By: Positively Present

Positively Present — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:26:28 +0000

Really great stuff here. I really think we need a balance of thinking and doing and I don't think one should take precedent over the other. Positively Presents last blog post..the ABC's of loving yourself

By: Duff

Duff — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:11:29 +0000

Great thoughts, Charlie. This is a great statement of why I got into productivity: “Personal development without action is just daydreaming.”

I would add that much of the personal development literature is too superficially focused to be rightly called sophia or wisdom. On the other hand, academic philosophy was too dry and removed from anything relevant to be included either.

This has been part of my frustration, and the motivation to dig deeper roots for the very real, and very practical business of living a flourishing, authentic life.

By: Hiro Boga

Hiro Boga — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:03:26 +0000

” . . . if you want to do something in the world, let’s talk about what you’re doing trying to do, why you’re trying to do it, and how we’re going to get it done.”

Thanks for this wise and practical post, Charlie. It’s clear to me that in order to flourish, we need the practical application of wisdom to guide our creations to fruition.

Hiro