Doing vs. Being

So often in modern life, we get swept up in the frenzy of doing: doing more, doing better, being productive, getting things done. For me, this past three-day weekend was a much-needed reminder to just be rather than do.

When we're doing

Our days are filled with a series of tasks to cross off our lists. We're thinking of the next thing we need to do before we're even finished the first one. With our ever growing to-do lists, we feel rushed, distracted, and stressed. We are so concerned with getting things done that we rarely stop to question what we're doing. Is there a better way to do it? Is it even worth doing? These are questions worth asking, because as Annie Dillard writes, "how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

When we're being

Our time is spent resting, relaxing, and taking care of our minds and bodies. We are present in the moment, noticing and observing what's happening both within ourselves and in our surroundings. We feel open, focused, and relaxed, which helps us to fully experience life; we have fun and enjoy ourselves. Listening becomes easier. Considering our feelings and preferences, we're in tune with our true wants and needs. We can connect with our innate wisdom and make good decisions.

What can we *do* about all the doing?

Here are some things I'm going to try out to see if I can re-capture that three-day-weekend feeling in my life:

• Set an overarching intention for my day. What is most important that I accomplish? What do I want to focus on? This can be tangible as a large effort that I'm undertaking, or as abstract as a value I want to consider in all that I do throughout the day.
• Take inventory of my various to-do lists in work and life, and decide those items I truly want to pursue either in the short-term or long-term. All others, where I think, well maybe one day... I'll trash. If something has been on my to-do list for 4 months, I figure it's unlikely I'll spring out of bed to start on it tomorrow.
• Set aside time to rest and relax, both during the work day and at home. And remind myself that during these times, there is nothing I need to "do" or "accomplish." The time is valuable to give me much-needed mental space. I'll try to take this space with me even as I shift back into "doing" mode, thinking about being more focused and fully present.

Do any of these things resonate with you? I would love to hear your experiences with conquering the pressure to always be productive!

Until next time, I'll be... being :)