Today, I will discuss anti-productivity and getting less done. More importantly, enjoying your (limited) time….

Productive Zombies

Many people out there, who hack their way through the typical 9-5 job,  spend the majority of their waking hours focusing on their job. They are cranking out more widgets, selling more gizmos, calling Mrs. Jones about XYZ, filling out TPS reports, or any other typical work behavior that many adults spend most of their lives doing. Even when they are out of the office, their job stress clouds their mind.

Why do you get up and report to the same place to do the same thing day after day after day? For a paycheck that can buy things you don’t need? Or, do you have certain priorities that require you to trade your time for money?

I’m starting to believe that the life I’ve been conditioned to live is not the right way. The life I speak of is the “American Dream” that goes something like this:  You make good grades in school, so you will get admitted to get to the college, that will allow you to get the job, which will give you the money to buy the house, that you and your spouse can raise your 2.5 kids in,  then teach them the way to do it all over again, after that, you when you are old and gray, you can retire and relax last few years of your life away.

To me that life is boring and predictable. Where is the challenge?  In my old age I want to tell stories of adventure, of triumph and failure, how I had it all, lost it and then got it back again.

Now, if you are one of the lucky ones who loves what they do, cheers to you! Keep doing what you are and love your life.

If you are required to trade your time for money due to things such as bills, debt, a mouth to feed or whatever the case may be, that is understandable but not the only way it has to be.

I am trying to create a life of less. Less TV, less work, less material items. The idea is that hopefully this focusing on less will translate to less debt, less bills, lower stress and more freedom. It will allow me more time to focus on the things that make me happy and are truly important.

We should all lead an enjoyable life. Where the activities you do are intrinsically fulfilling and motivating. You shouldn’t dread getting up in the morning. You shouldn’t have to continue on a zombie-like life.

Being Anti-Productive

Start by trimming all the unimportant things out of your life. Do you really need to buy the latest fashion accessory or that shiny little thing that caught your eye? Can you get by on eating less expensive food? Cutting things out that aren’t necessary will allow you time to be anti-productive, better known as relaxed.

Contrary to what consumerism wants you to believe, you do not have to spend your life going in circles of production then consumption then back again.

More money saved means less money needed to be earned. Thus,  driving down your dependence on your day job. Eventually, if you cut your cost of living down, you will have the ability to do things you truly want to spend your time on.

Having money and material items is not the end all be all. Finding fulfillment in action and experience is what grows true happiness.