It's OK to Do Nothing

I was speaking to someone earlier this week and they asked me what I did. “What is your current job?” I replied that my only “job” at the moment is finding a new job. It was meant to be a funny comment but it is also true. When I got into bed that night I kept playing the conversation over in my mind. It got me thinking.

If my only job is finding a new job and I haven’t achieved that outcome yet, am I failing? It seems like a strange thing to be able to say you’re failing at. 

Yet, some days it feels like I’m failing.

But, at the same time, I am also learning and growing. I’m learning about the future of work, finance and art. I am learning about myself and thus growing. Surely, if that’s the case then I can’t be failing. Right?

Einstein is famous for saying “I am still learning”. He was 87 when he said it.

As a society, our views on work, productivity and value are skewed. Social media, family and our community have put these unrealistic expectations out there. We adopt them and choose to put them on ourselves.

I think back to my childhood. I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa in a Jewish community. This is how your life is expected to play out:

You’re 6 - Stop exploring, go to primary school. Fill your mornings with school and afternoons with homework. Work toward the first letter of the alphabet.

You’re 13 - Stop playing around, go to high school. Fill your mornings with lessons. Your afternoons with assignments and homework. Work even harder to achieve the first letter of the alphabet because you need to get into a good university.

You’re 19 - Get serious, go to university.Fill your mornings attending lessons or sleeping. Your afternoons with assignments. And, your evenings pulling all-nighters. All for achieving more letters on more paper you'll lose a few years later. With the goal of getting “a good job”.

You’re 21 - Be an adult, go get a job.Choose your profession. Fill your days and nights working to fulfil someone else’s vision. Keep grinding and you’ll move up with experience. 

There is no room for nuance in that. It’s insane. I often think to myself, how is it possible to know what you’d like to do for the rest of your life at 18 years of age. Few people do. But, somehow they’re expected to. We should encourage our kids to learn. Act, cock-up, learn, adapt, repeat. 

The truth is, they may never know what they want to do. And, that is ok. I’m nearly 40 and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I’d even wager some of my Bitcoin that a lot of you reading this feel the same way.

You only have to know what you want for now. When you leave high school and find something that gets you up in the morning - fantastic! Follow that shit. And, after 2-3 years when you figure out that you’ve outgrown that interest - fantastic! Pick another one and go down that path. And, if you’re only a few strides down a path and you hate it - Fuck it! Choose another one. 

I think it’s ok to “achieve nothing” every now and then. Whether you’re feeling unproductive, lazy or just not that into it. Tell yourself that it’s ok. Because it is.

It’s freeing to let yourself do nothing. In any strict workout programme, there will be rest days. So too should you have rest days when it comes to “work” or being productive? It’s all relative. Letting your brain reset can actually be very productive.

Doing nothing can inspire creativity. It can let your mind run free instead of focusing on the tasks you’re constantly bombarding it with.Reading a book, listening to a podcast or sitting watching the ocean may not directly generate revenue. You wouldn’t classify them as a “job” but they most certainly add value. You’re investing in yourself!

If you’re struggling with a concept or a life challenge. You find a book that resonates with you. It may help you process and work through some things. So, you spend some time reading. Then, is there a better job to be doing at that moment? I'd say no.

Life is too short. And, long enough for you to make mistakes and changes along the way. Be wild! Be unrealistic. Freedom and creativity will get you so much further anyway. 

When we’re young we should follow our passions. As fleeting and impulsive as they are. Follow the paths that look wild, overgrown, and untravelled. 

Peace, love and muscles.

Jazza

Podcast I loved (and listened to more than once) this weekGraham Duncan (co-founder of East Rock Capital) - Tim Ferris’s podcast (2019)

He spoke of a concept during that conversation that I can’t stop thinking about. The idea of “time billionaires.” Do yourselves a favour and go read the transcript or listen to the pod. I may even write a post on it soon.

What Music I’m writing toEmotional - episode #84 - SoundcloudIt’s defined as “melodic techno”. I’d call it chilled deep house. When I need to get into flow I put these beats into my Bose and the world around me disappears.

Recipe I’m loving this weekDark Chocolate Protein Oat Cookies. They are 100% addictive!

1 cup almond flour1 cup oats¼ cut desiccated coconut½ cup dark choc chips (or smashed Lindt)1 cup of cranberries1 tsp baking soda3 tbsp coconut oil2 scoops of vanilla whey protein powder2tbsp coconut water (if too dry)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.Roll into little balls.Place on baking paper and flatten a little.Into the oven @ 180C for 10-15 minutes.

Something Beautiful From my Week

An NFT created by an artist called Sabet. She’s beautiful, I should have added her to my collection.