When we are addicted to action, we do things not because they're important but because we want to feel that we are important. The task is right in front of us, and we want to feel that we are competent and productive.
At those moments, we need to step back for a bit so we can spend time on work that aligns with our purpose. If we can't, we end up wasting a lot of time on unnecessary things right in front of us. (p. 95)
The age of information overload disrupts our "focus." Smartphones and computers, email and social networks never leave us alone for even a moment.
We make plans, we set priorities, but all the distractions that keep coming keep us from focusing on "what's important."
If lately you feel like you can't focus, try the author's action-addiction test.
- Sit at your desk as if you were about to start work, then look out the window for a moment or stare at a blank computer screen.
- You cannot take any action or speak. You cannot solve any problems. For 3 minutes, just sit still doing nothing.
- If that's hard, there's a decent chance you've fallen into action addiction.
The author warns that action addiction keeps you from sticking to priorities and steals the ability to concentrate on the work that matters most to your biggest goal.
We don't need to keep doing something all the time. In fact, we shouldn't.
Instead of action addiction, what's needed is to stop. Even just a few minutes at a time, it's important to pause and take time to think.
(Charles's normal notes)
It's true. For many years I was action-addicted too.
I should be thinking and acting in line with my purpose.
Right after finishing something, and then when starting something new, I'm always affected by the inertia of the previous action.
I see myself doing the same kind of thing while on my phone. While browsing the web, I surf wave after wave without noticing, and suddenly realize I'm lingering somewhere I didn't intend to be.
Every so often in life there's a moment when I suddenly feel - ah, I've been living without even a moment to reflect, and time has just flown past.
Why is it so hard to live with a real awareness of being alive, even while being the one who is alive?
