IDEAS 

Hey there, do you ever feel like you're constantly trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle of the productivity culture? It's like we're all in a race to do more, achieve more, and be more, but we forget to slow down and appreciate the little things in life.

Here are some common symptoms of this addiction to productivity that you might relate to: taking on too much work and feeling like you're drowning, trying to do a million things at once and not really getting anything done, feeling guilty for taking breaks or enjoying some downtime, putting a ton of pressure on yourself to achieve unrealistic goals, and even neglecting your personal and family responsibilities just to get ahead.

But what if we flipped the script and focused on leisure instead of productivity? That's right, just taking a breather and not doing anything at all can be just as valuable. Leisure allows us to truly enjoy the simple things in life and the activities that bring us joy. 

Now, let's talk about where this productivity culture came from. It all started with the Protestant work ethic, which says that hard work, frugality, and self-discipline are moral goods that show faith and obedience to God. While this work ethic has led to economic success, it has also taught us that not working is a sin. Plus, it promotes materialism and an unhealthy obsession with wealth and status, while neglecting leisure, balance, and relationships.

But guess what? We can create our own world paradigm! We can focus on living a life that's all about enjoying every moment, showing kindness to ourselves and others, experiencing all kinds of adventures, and taking plenty of time to rest and reflect. It's up to us to design our own philosophical school of thought that works for us and helps us live our best lives. So go ahead and break free from the productivity trap, and start creating the life you really want.

CASE STUDY 

Amina who believed in the value of hard work. She had spent her whole life working in the manufacturing sector, grinding away day after day. She had always thought that this was the only way to live, the only way to succeed. But then, one day, her daughter shattered that illusion.

At just 16 years old, Amina's youngest daughter announced that she didn't want to work hard at all. Instead, she wanted to relax and enjoy life. Amina couldn't believe what she was hearing. They argued for what seemed like hours, with yelling and tears. Towards the end of the fight, Amina let out a fiery outburst. "I didn't work so hard and sacrifice so much of my life so you would waste it!" she screamed at her daughter. Her daughter replied, "that was YOUR choice, and it's not too late to stop sacrificing your life". The words hit Amina like a ton of bricks, and she froze. 

As she stared into the distance, memories of her youth flooded her mind. She remembered when she was 20 years old, and she whispered to her best friend that she dreamed of being a writer who would whisper stories of wonder. She had let go of that dream, thinking that the only way to succeed was through hard work and sacrifice.

The argument ended abruptly as Amina looked up at her daughter. "Let's see how we can make this work, for both of us" she said, determination in her eyes. Amina realized that her daughter was right. She didn't have to keep sacrificing her life for work. It was time to start living and pursuing her dreams. 

Amina started to write, and she poured her heart and soul into it. She found that writing gave her a sense of purpose and fulfillment that she had never experienced before. And with her newfound passion, Amina was able to connect with her daughter in a whole new way, appreciating the beauty of the world around them.

PRACTICES 

• Actively retrain yourself to notice value in things that are not considered valuable from a productivity standpoint (staring at the sky, garbage, watching movies over again). 
• Carve out space where work nd productivity are not considered. Rejoice in the fact that you don't need to do anything. 
• Notice an inner voice telling you to constantly be 'doing' something, and remind it that 'being' is also incredibly valuable. 
• Try doing one thing at a time instead of multitasking. 
• Resist the urge to answer e-mails and messages immediately. 
• Take a break from technology, for instance by spending the day without your phone. 
• Explore new hobbies and interests & prioritize leisure activities in your day-to-day life.
• Schedule quality leisure time with friends and family.
• Read a book or magazine, especially if it has nothing to do with your line of work.

RESOURCES

• The Joy of Not Working: A Book for the Retired, Unemployed, and Overworked by Ernie J. Zelinski
  
• The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential... in Business and in Life by Leo Babauta
  
• Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time by Brigid Schulte
  
• Busy: How to Thrive in a World of Too Much by Tony Crabbe
  
• The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself by Veronique Vienne
  
• The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own by Joshua Becker
  
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
  
• The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have with People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do by Sarah Knight