Do Nothing! No, not even THAT!

Don’t you hate when people tell you that? Don’t you mostly hate it because you can’t figure out how to “do nothing.” What? Nothing? Like not even read? Or check the time? Well…

To each his own, I say. Everyone’s version of nothing is a different story but I can tell you that for as many years as I’ve been on the quest for this enlightened meditation of “nothing” I could never quite swing it. I knew why it was important and I’m sure you have the same issues, especially as a small business owner, the buzz of the continuous To Do List, later after the work day is through, when we are supposed to be spending quality family time, that list is being mentally reviewed and reviewed again, and upgraded and renegotiated. That elusive thing called time is so precious we think we’re never going to have enough of it to get all that needs to get done… well, done.

Even in yoga, which I’ve practiced on a regular basis on and off for 30 some odd years, that dang Shavasana, or final meditation, which I’ve been practicing as well for as many years, continues to elude me. OK, let's call a spade a spade: I just suck at it. Here’s an example: my To Do List for the day is being formulated, then I’m chastising myself because of last night's dinner, where I tried so hard NOT to burn the garlic and was a huge failure… I didn’t even like it, oh, did I send that email to the accountant? Why can’t I remember? I can’t remember anything anymore… I really should have that checked out... ok, stop! you meditating flunky, just enjoy this time for God's sake… OK, I’m good now, no thoughts… isn’t it funny how when your eyes are closed in the sunlight you can see blue behind your eyeballs? Stop it!, etc., etc, etc…. You get the picture. I could never be Elizabeth Gilbert in an ashram in India in Eat, Pray, Love. Forget it.

Until yesterday, when I had a breakthrough! Christmas day, 2011 and this gal succeeded in doing her version of nothing, which consisted of planning it first of all — turning down three wonderful invitations, not fretting, not making mental lists, not going near the computer except to check one teeny thing once, not dressing, not cooking, not picking up the phone except for one call from my daughter, not yelling at any children… all in all, just… NOT!

This is what I did do: lie on the couch… in the sun, and then in the dark, and read the Sunday Times, I took a great walk in my pajamas and very dark glasses hoping no one I knew would recognize me but instead mistake me as some wandering homeless woman, ate chocolate and napped, and then didn’t nap. I was a sloth. I slothed. It was all so slothy. And can I tell you something? I’m not sure just why it worked yesterday except for the fact that on these holidays we can give ourselves permission, and I took the bait… but whatever the reason, it worked. I woke up this morning refreshed and ready to hit the gym and get back into the groove, and here I am.

So I’m paying it forward to you. Get slothy. Sloth around at a time when you can give yourself permission to, when it really doesn’t matter. A mental break is essential for continued creativity and burn out prevention. It’s called maintenance and most of us really stink at it. You will get clearer and rested and more purposeful and mostly you will feel more in control. It only took me my whole life to get here but I’m digging the occasional slothiness. Going to try it again next Christmas.

Suzen Pettit, a longtime Brookfield resident and marketer extraordinaire, is principal at Omaginariumand Omagine Health, a marketing firm specializing in growing small businesses and medical practices by creating search engine optimized websites, internet marketing, social media marketing, affordable SEO, blogging and email marketing. She’ll teach you the ropes to grow your business online.

Contact Suzen at 203-733-8578 or email her at Suzen@omaginarium.com.