This question is part of a short survey about work that new subscribers take part in. I have been curious about this for some time now. Some say they’d compose music, paint, write poetry, finish their novel, and spend more time with family. Some would make jewellery, walk the dog, exercise, meditate, or volunteer. Some would do nothing different-these people are already in the zone. So, what would you do?
It’s difficult actually. I like the impact I make in my career and it’s good to get away from writing and be around other people. I get ideas that way and feel there’s a nice balance. I would cut back my hours, write all those short stories in my head, and publish them.
I would do all that I do now , but without that gnawing drag down joy crashing ever present feeling of not being sufficiently productive, in a monetary way.
Take breath or two. Sit on the porch and sleep for a week, head all down into my chest.
Of course the schedule would change, go to my beloved trees and climb, get my permits in a row to discover new caves around the world. In general make my connection to this earth more of a priority. The more time to write would be greedy.
Sounds like a good plan Michael. There's nothing like taking time to do nothing. Although it's not really nothing, is it? It's more something than the other things that keep us busy.
I love this question for so many reasons but mostly because it gives the opportunity to share that I do not believe this is a dichotomy. I believe, we can always be moving in the direction of where we want our lives to be while we’re working on creating that financial independence that would allow us to do whatever it is we choose to, as often as we choose, with whoever we choose, wherever we choose.
With that said, if I had the financial freedom to do whatever I chose, I would choose to spend more time in nature, I would spend more time with my grandkids, I would spend more time writing, speaking, and discovering new and unique ways to help the organizations I believe in and feel like align with the values I share about how to make the world a better place for my grandchildren.
I am already doing some of this work, I would simply do it more, with more people, and more often. I believe that collectively we can accomplish what none of us could ever achieve alone and I am moving in the direction of creating that foundation now, so that when I am no longer spending as many hours as I do in the work that provides for myself and my family, I will already have a transition plan in place so that I can spend my most important years doing the things that are most important to me.
I won’t be one of the many who retire and talk about all the things they’re going to do someday. I understand that someday is an illusion and whatever it is that I want to do, I need to make plans to do it, because what gets scheduled gets done!
I would also spend a lot more time in silence, doing nothing at all, just listening, just discovering what’s trying to emerge. I would then trust this guidance and follow the thread to see where it took me. This is the one thing I am most excited about because as I have begun this process while still working,I have seen many things, I have heard many things, and I have planned many things!
Thanks Bob, great answer. I don't believe it's dichotomous either. I think many of us, including myself, get caught in the idea that personal value comes from working ourselves to the bone. But the responses people have made, suggest that those things we value most are not associated with what we have defined as daily work. I think daily work can be something other than what many of us perceive it to be. It doesn't look the same for everyone and the challenge is finding it. Covid is showing us that we can unhitch daily work from financial earnings and Universal Basic Income might be closer than we think.
It’s difficult actually. I like the impact I make in my career and it’s good to get away from writing and be around other people. I get ideas that way and feel there’s a nice balance. I would cut back my hours, write all those short stories in my head, and publish them.
Balance is good. I think we've got to accept that life and work has two sides.
I would do all that I do now , but without that gnawing drag down joy crashing ever present feeling of not being sufficiently productive, in a monetary way.
That will certainly kill the fun in it alright.
Take breath or two. Sit on the porch and sleep for a week, head all down into my chest.
Of course the schedule would change, go to my beloved trees and climb, get my permits in a row to discover new caves around the world. In general make my connection to this earth more of a priority. The more time to write would be greedy.
Sounds like a good plan Michael. There's nothing like taking time to do nothing. Although it's not really nothing, is it? It's more something than the other things that keep us busy.
Larry-
I love this question for so many reasons but mostly because it gives the opportunity to share that I do not believe this is a dichotomy. I believe, we can always be moving in the direction of where we want our lives to be while we’re working on creating that financial independence that would allow us to do whatever it is we choose to, as often as we choose, with whoever we choose, wherever we choose.
With that said, if I had the financial freedom to do whatever I chose, I would choose to spend more time in nature, I would spend more time with my grandkids, I would spend more time writing, speaking, and discovering new and unique ways to help the organizations I believe in and feel like align with the values I share about how to make the world a better place for my grandchildren.
I am already doing some of this work, I would simply do it more, with more people, and more often. I believe that collectively we can accomplish what none of us could ever achieve alone and I am moving in the direction of creating that foundation now, so that when I am no longer spending as many hours as I do in the work that provides for myself and my family, I will already have a transition plan in place so that I can spend my most important years doing the things that are most important to me.
I won’t be one of the many who retire and talk about all the things they’re going to do someday. I understand that someday is an illusion and whatever it is that I want to do, I need to make plans to do it, because what gets scheduled gets done!
I would also spend a lot more time in silence, doing nothing at all, just listening, just discovering what’s trying to emerge. I would then trust this guidance and follow the thread to see where it took me. This is the one thing I am most excited about because as I have begun this process while still working,I have seen many things, I have heard many things, and I have planned many things!
I look forward to listening more...
Bobby Kountz-
Thanks Bob, great answer. I don't believe it's dichotomous either. I think many of us, including myself, get caught in the idea that personal value comes from working ourselves to the bone. But the responses people have made, suggest that those things we value most are not associated with what we have defined as daily work. I think daily work can be something other than what many of us perceive it to be. It doesn't look the same for everyone and the challenge is finding it. Covid is showing us that we can unhitch daily work from financial earnings and Universal Basic Income might be closer than we think.