Let’s face it. We live in a go go go world. All you need to do is spend time in any of the world’s largest cities, and you will realize that we have become conditioned to live life at breakneck speed.
Companies like Google have massive cafeterias on their campuses that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner because people are at work that early and stay that late. Technology has made it possible for our jobs to live in our pockets. We have the ability to stay engaged with work at home through email, Slack, and Messenger.
We pride ourselves on outward achievements and accolades. Our own self worth has become so entangled with our ability to, make more sales, make more money, and get promoted that we chase productivity and tout our busy schedules as badges of honor. We believe that the more productive we are, the closer we are getting to what we really want in life.
But that’s not true.
How many times have you stayed late at work or worked through a weekend because you felt like you just had to? That’s productivity hiding insecurity.
How many times have you packed your schedule because you didn’t want to do something? That’s productivity hiding avoidance.
How often does your inner monologue tell you, “If I stop moving, I’m going to fall apart”? That’s productivity hiding fear.
So often we use “being productive” as a way to avoid recognizing and dealing with important issues. But that problem is that we live our lives on a productivity road to nowhere. Those outward achievements don’t truly fulfill us. Those blockades to our true happiness never get removed. Those fears that prevent us from being bold in our lives never go away.
The remedy to all of this is to spend more time being still.
Quiet all the noise, pump the brakes, slow your racing mind, and just be. Listen to what your body, heart, and mind are saying when they don’t need to fight against the loud din of this go go go world.
What are you truly insecure about?
What are you avoiding?
What are you afraid of?
Being still allows you to answer these questions, and by doing so, you are one step closer to not only getting what think you want in life — but living the life you want.
Becoming Boulder 