001 — On Being Busy

Summary

The article advises against the trap of busyness, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's schedule and valuing quiet contemplation over mindless activity.

Abstract

The article, titled "On Being Busy (Stoic Wisdom 001)," is part of a series called "Moral Letters for Modern Times." It cautions readers against the perils of a busy lifestyle, which is often self-imposed and results from relinquishing control over one's time. The author equates a crowded calendar with a ledger full of obligations rather than assets. The piece criticizes the fear of missing out (FOMO) and the herd mentality that drives people to exhaust themselves in pursuit of keeping up with others, often leading to a sense of irrelevance and dissatisfaction. Instead, the author suggests that true relevance comes from understanding the value of one's time and the ability to say "No." The article encourages readers to invest their time wisely, akin to making deposits in the bank account of life, and to avoid the empty distractions of modern media. It concludes by advocating for the superiority of an hour spent in thoughtful reflection over a year spent in unthinking action, aligning with the Stoic principle of mindfulness and intentionality in one's actions.

Opinions

Busyness is a self-inflicted state resulting from a lack of control over one's daily life.
The fear of missing out leads to a mindless pursuit of keeping up with others, rather than focusing on personal goals and values.
The value of one's time is not recognized by those who fill their schedules with meaningless activities.
Saying "No" is more powerful and indicative of self-awareness than mindlessly agreeing to every opportunity.
Time spent in contemplation is more beneficial than time spent in ceaseless, unreflective activity.
Modern media is a significant source of distraction and empty engagement that should be minimized to clear one's schedule and mind.
The article suggests that relevance and fulfillment are achieved not through constant activity but through mindful and deliberate use of time.

Better an hour spent in quiet contemplation than a year mindlessly doing

Image by Author

Greetings Deuteros!

Do not call yourself busy. Busyness is the fate of those who have relinquished control over their daily lives. They have ceded ground not honorably, like the battered general calling retreat to the troops after a hard-fought battle.

No, the busy today have put their fortune in the hands of strangers, and done so without a fight and often without a thought. If you do not maintain the strictest control over your calendar, like a miser clutching his last coin, you will find your ledger soon overflowing, but with obligations, not credits.

Fear of missing out you say? Tell me, when did a mindless herd of cattle ever lead you to a destination you wanted to go to? You not only exhaust yourself trying to keep up with the herd, but you also end up bedraggled, dusty, and dung-riddled for your efforts. And no sooner has the lead cow paused than a random bull becomes the leader of the next charge.

Fear of becoming irrelevant you say? Show me a person who does not fear they are missing out, and I will show you a person who understands precisely the value of their time. I would rather hear a single person who says “No” calmly, than a hundred who vigorously cry out “Yes!”

Time that you do not waste is a deposit in the bank account of your life. The sheep stuff their day with the filling but ultimately empty blandishments of modern media. The more generously you cut out their bleating, the more you will clear your schedule, not to mention your head.

It’s the busy person who occupies themselves with doing. But doing without thinking is the fate of beasts of burden, not you. With apologies to the Goddess of Victory, don’t just do it!

Better an hour spent in quiet contemplation than a year mindlessly doing.

Be well.

And if reading this gave you a happy moment, you can say thanks here.

A version of this story was originally published on Klugne.