Comments on: Put Things Off and Do Nothing to Get More Done

By: Karl Staib - Work Happy Now

Karl Staib - Work Happy Now — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:31:37 +0000

I admit that there are times I get too close to a project. This blurred vision doesn’t allow the project’s full potential to come out. Most of the time I don’t consciously step back to get a better view, it just happens naturally. I’ll go for a walk or do a little cartoon. After I’m done relaxing my mind (i.e. procrastinating) I realize my mistake.

The subconscious mind is a very powerful computer if we give it time to do its job.
.-= Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last blog ..The 100-100 Divide =-.

By: Aaron Taylor - HelpCreatePlan

Aaron Taylor - HelpCreatePlan — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:26:31 +0000

The last 4 lines of this highly useful post goes someway to underscore the benefit of just standing back. Stand back, take a bigger view of the whole picture and see new avenues and possibilities.
a fine post.

By: Marshall Donnerbauer

Marshall Donnerbauer — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:21:19 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with this approach, but I also know what you mean about not using it as an excuse to let the laundry pile up.

In my quest to become efficient with my work, I’ve often completely cut out the mundane details in life (getting back to friends, answering emails on time, getting the mail, going to the bank, etc…)

It’s a balance, but I believe it’s better to focus on a few really important things than to just fill our days with a bunch of small things just to feel like we’re “getting things done today”.
.-= Marshall Donnerbauer´s last blog ..Canon 7D Testing – Hard Rock Cafe Bear =-.

By: cynthia bailey

cynthia bailey — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:57:14 +0000

This is a brilliant 180 on how I habitually operate in life. I go into hyper drive when I have a pressing task and I get everything done, both minutia and the big stuff. I go nuts in the process. Creating space and letting go as an action makes room for the really juicy epiphany/creative spark etc. I’ve experienced that, but my old habit so easily kicks in. Your post is a good reminder. Thank you.

By: Tosha

Tosha — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:46:55 +0000

Putting things off at my office requires looking over the day and the week like a chess player. When I get a project, I determine if it really needs to get done, or if the urgency will die out based on the situation. If I determine if will die out, I use my time to learn, read things that matter, and take care of things that are really urgent. By the end of the week, I’ve done what I needed to do, and have decreased my stress by filtering out things that can really wait.
.-= Tosha´s last blog ..Virtual Assistant – Success in Rough Economic Times =-.

By: Greg London

Greg London — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:14:25 +0000

Oh, I get it. So you put off the small stuff, but seriously focus on the most important stuff. That makes sense. Nice site man. .-= Greg London´s last blog ..Free and Powerful takes 3 steps to a $50.00 sign up bonus =-.

By: Steven | The Emotion Machine

Steven | The Emotion Machine — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:26:46 +0000

Great ideas Jon! I have written my fair share of advice on the power of "doing nothing" too, even one time wrote about taking a whole day off to do nothing. Sometimes doing less, and allowing ourselves to take a step back, can allow us to put a stronger focus on the things that are most important. Thanks again Jon, and Productive Flourishing, for sharing this with all of us! .-= Steven | The Emotion Machine´s last blog ..Start The New Decade By Focusing On Relaxation =-.

By: Andrew J. Gay

Andrew J. Gay — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:55:48 +0000

After a title like that I had to read this! Of course I think there is a fine line here. If you are a lazy person sometimes doing nothing is a surefire way toward failure. The idea of doing nothing to get more done though is enlightening. Often times I think, at least for me I don't ever think there are enough hours in the day... I am a workaholic. But, you are 100% right Jonathan. Unless you take time to unplug much of your time that you are trying to accomplish something you are actually beating your head against a wall getting frustrated, stressed and ultimately un-productive. Especially when it comes to creativity, which is what most of us online entrepreneurs need. Everyone needs to be productive and efficient. A big part of that is taking time to do what is most important... living. Remember, we shouldn't be living to work, we should work so that we can live! .-= Andrew J. Gay´s last blog ..Taking Action with Passion- Success Guaranteed =-.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:09:05 +0000

I didn’t notice the reference to poking at a cooking fish at first. That’s an awesome allusion to the Tao Te Ching, Jonathan. That one sentence was some icing that I really appreciate. (Of course, you probably knew that.)

And thanks for sharing such a great post here! I look forward to more.

By: Kyle Hansen

Kyle Hansen — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:33:20 +0000

I could not agree more, when I do and work less and focus on geting the big things done, I have better results and ultimately make more money. Not to mention a better life because I have more free fun time and less stress!