7. Do Less to Be More Productive

(...continued) The Seeker sat on the park bench, his leg jittering nervously. He'd spent the last hour trying to do nothing, and it had been the most stressful sixty minutes of his life. Every passing second felt like a missed opportunity, a wasted moment.

"Well, well," Mr. Attitude's voice startled him out of his anxious reverie. "Look who managed to sit still for an entire hour without spontaneously combusting."

The Seeker jumped up, words tumbling out in a rush. "It was terrible! I kept thinking about all the things I could be doing, should be doing. How is this productive?"

Mr. Attitude chuckled, settling onto the bench with the ease of a cat finding a sunny spot. "Congratulations, kid. You've just experienced the toxic productivity that's slowly killing us all."

"Toxic productivity?" The Seeker frowned. "But isn't productivity good? Shouldn't we always strive to do more?"

"Sure," Mr. Attitude drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And while we're at it, why don't we just hook ourselves up to caffeine IVs and work 24/7? I'm sure that won't have any negative consequences whatsoever."

He patted the bench, inviting The Seeker to sit back down. "Tell me, in your hour of 'doing nothing,' did you come up with any brilliant ideas? Solve any pressing problems?"

The Seeker opened his mouth to say no, then paused. "Actually... I did have a few thoughts about that project I've been stuck on. And I realized I've been neglecting my family lately."

"Imagine that," Mr. Attitude smirked. "Turns out your brain can do some pretty impressive stuff when you're not constantly cracking the whip over it."

He gestured to the bustling park around them. "Look at these people. Running, cycling, power-walking while dictating emails. They're so busy being 'productive' that they're missing the whole damn point of being in a park. They have what I call 'the productivity of laborers and farmers'... not that I have anything against laborers and farmers. But these guys who try to take pride in their white collar jobs, have the mindset and attitude of laborers and farmers. Ain't that crazy?"

A jogger sprinted past, nearly colliding with a tree while checking his smartwatch. Mr. Attitude shook his head. "See that? That's productivity culture in a nutshell. So focused on the destination that we miss the journey – and probably end up with a concussion to boot."

The Seeker nodded slowly. "So you're saying we shouldn't try to be productive?"

Mr. Attitude let out an exasperated sigh. "Kid, you've got to stop thinking in black and white. I'm saying that productivity, like anything else, can become toxic when taken to extremes. It's about quality, not quantity."

He pulled out a pocket watch – an antique-looking thing that seemed wildly out of place in his hand. "Did you know that back in the day, economists predicted that by now, we'd all be working 15-hour weeks thanks to increased productivity?"

The Seeker's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"We got more productive," Mr. Attitude said dryly. "And instead of using that productivity to enjoy life more, we just filled the extra time with more work. It's like trying to fill a bathtub with the drain open – no matter how much you do, there's always more to be done."

He stood up abruptly. "Come on, we're going on a field trip."

Bewildered, The Seeker followed Mr. Attitude out of the park and down a busy street. They stopped in front of a sleek, modern office building with people scurrying in and out like ants from a disturbed hill.

"Behold," Mr. Attitude announced with mock grandeur, "the temple of productivity. Where people sacrifice their health, relationships, and sanity on the altar of 'getting things done'."

As they watched, a frazzled-looking woman in a suit dashed out, phone in one hand, coffee in the other, nearly tripping over her own feet.

"Let me guess," Mr. Attitude said, "she's late for a meeting about how to improve time management."

The Seeker couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, I see your point. But how do we balance being productive with... well, living?"

Mr. Attitude's eyes twinkled. "Funny you should ask. Ever heard of niksen?"

The Seeker shook his head, looking puzzled.

"It's a Dutch concept," Mr. Attitude explained. "Basically, it means doing nothing. And before you start hyperventilating," he added, noticing The Seeker's alarmed expression, "I'm not talking about being lazy. I'm talking about intentional idleness."

"Intentional idleness?" The Seeker echoed, skepticism evident in his voice. "How is that different from wasting time?"

Mr. Attitude chuckled. "Ah, there's that productivity mindset again. Look, kid, your brain is like a high-performance engine. You can't run it at full throttle all the time without something breaking down."

He gestured to a nearby cafe. "Let's grab a coffee. I'll show you what I mean."

As they settled into their seats, Mr. Attitude continued, "Niksen is like hitting the reset button for your mind. It's not about scrolling through your phone or watching TV. It's about letting your mind wander freely, without any specific focus."

The Seeker frowned. "But how is that productive?"

"That's the beauty of it," Mr. Attitude grinned. "It's productive precisely because you're not trying to be productive. Remember that hour you spent 'doing nothing' in the park? You came up with ideas for your stuck project and realized you needed to spend more time with your family. That's niksen at work."

Understanding began to dawn on The Seeker's face. "So it's like... productive unproductivity?"

"Exactly!" Mr. Attitude exclaimed. "Your subconscious mind is incredibly powerful. When you're constantly busy, you don't give it a chance to work its magic. Niksen creates space for creativity, problem-solving, and even self-reflection."

The Seeker nodded slowly. "I can see how that might be helpful. But won't I fall behind if I'm not constantly working?"

Mr. Attitude leaned back in his chair. "Let me ask you this: have you ever had a brilliant idea while taking a shower or just before falling asleep?"

"Actually, yes," The Seeker admitted.

"That's because your mind was in a relaxed state," Mr. Attitude explained. "Niksen helps you access that state more often. It's not about working less, it's about working smarter."

He pulled out his pocket watch. "Try this: for the next week, schedule two 15-minute niksen sessions each day. Just sit somewhere comfortable and let your mind roam. No phone, no distractions. See what happens."

The Seeker looked skeptical but intrigued. "And you really think this will make me more productive?"

"Kid, I guarantee it," Mr. Attitude said confidently. "You'll find yourself solving problems faster, coming up with more creative ideas, and feeling less stressed overall. Plus, you might actually enjoy life a bit more. Remember, kid, you're a human being, not a human doing. Don't let the cult of productivity rob you of your humanity."

As they left the cafe, The Seeker felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. "So what's next? More lessons in anti-productivity?"

Mr. Attitude's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh, I've got something special planned for tomorrow. Tell me, kid, how often do you put things off?"

The Seeker's brow furrowed. "You mean procrastinate? I try not to. Isn't that a bad habit?"

"Is it now?" Mr. Attitude smirked. "Well, prepare to have your mind blown. Meet me at the city library tomorrow at 10 AM. And don't you dare prepare or plan anything for it."

"But—" The Seeker started to protest.

"Ah, ah!" Mr. Attitude wagged his finger. "No buts. In fact, if you find yourself tempted to do anything productive between now and then, I want you to actively resist. Embrace your inner sloth. Consider it homework."

As Mr. Attitude sauntered away, he called over his shoulder, "And remember, if anyone asks what you're doing, tell them you're engaging in advanced productivity techniques. It's not procrastination if it's scheduled!"

The Seeker stood there, caught between amusement and confusion. As he headed home, he couldn't help but wonder what bizarre lesson awaited him at the library. One thing was certain – his understanding of procrastination was about to be turned upside down.

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FAQs

Q: Isn't productivity always a good thing?

A: Not necessarily. As Mr. Attitude points out, productivity can become toxic when taken to extremes. It's about quality, not quantity. Constant productivity without breaks can lead to burnout and actually decrease overall effectiveness.

Q: What is "toxic productivity"?

A: Toxic productivity is the mindset that you must always be doing something "productive," often at the expense of rest, relationships, and overall well-being. It's the compulsion to work constantly, even when it's not necessary or beneficial.

Q: What is "niksen" and how can it help?

A: Niksen is a Dutch concept that means "doing nothing." It's about intentional idleness, allowing your mind to wander freely without any specific focus. This practice can boost creativity, problem-solving abilities, and reduce stress. It's productive precisely because you're not trying to be productive.

Q: How can I practice niksen in my daily life?

A: Mr. Attitude suggests scheduling two 15-minute niksen sessions each day. During these times, sit somewhere comfortable and let your mind roam without distractions like phones or TV. This allows your subconscious mind to work on problems and generate new ideas.

Q: Won't I fall behind if I'm not constantly working?

A: Not necessarily. By giving your mind regular breaks, you're actually improving your overall productivity. You'll likely find yourself solving problems faster, generating more creative ideas, and feeling less stressed. Remember, it's about working smarter, not just harder.

Q: What's do you mean by "productivity of laborers and farmers" mindset?

A: "Productivity of labourers and farmers" mindset means focusing more on action than the outcome. This mindset, when applied to white-collar jobs, can lead to a focus on constant activity rather than meaningful results. It can cause people to miss out on the broader perspective and creative thinking that often lead to true innovation and progress in knowledge-based work.