check
What I’m about to tell you will go in the face of thousands of books, seminars, and advice columns out there. Some people will call bullshit or at the very least gasp loudly, and that’s ok. That’s what people do. So I’ll let them.
I’ve decided to adopt a completely new productivity system in my life by eliminating every to-do list, checklist, and notion of “what I should do” or “what I should be doing.” (I also stopped living by a calendar – my future days are completely open).
“But wait, doesn’t that mean you will turn into a shifty wandering hobo and not end up doing anything with your life?” you might be saying. “Aha!” I retort, “only to the untrained eye and unenlightened mind.”
I have something way better than that – it’s what I call my one thing.
What’s my one thing? It’s a guiding principle – one statement that says – this is what I want my life to be about. This is the one thing that inspires and motivates me above anything else right now.
That’s it. Every single day I can do whatever it is that I want to do. I can live completely on impulse. Yesterday while I was waiting for my haircut appointment, I started saying “I’m currently working on…” and then it hit me that I don’t like the concept of “working on” because it has such negative connotations. So I’m gonna go ahead and replace “working on” with “playing with” – voila! That’s it. I’m never working on anything ever again. I’m only playing with things that inspire me from now on.
…and playing with things that are in alignment with my one thing. What’s my one thing? (What do I want me life to be about?)
I want to empower people to do what they love every day of their lives.
That’s it. That’s the only thing my life is about right now. By stripping away everything else and getting rid of all the “shoulds”, task lists, and all the bullshit – that becomes the strongest force in my life, clear of any noise. Essentially I want everyone to follow their true passions in life and create a way of living that leaves them inspired and alive every single day. And I want to have fun helping them get there – I want to play with it, not work on it.
Every time I find myself lost in some task or following a certain path, I can become conscious and ask myself “is what I’m doing right now in alignment with what I want my life to be about? and am I having fun?” And if not, I can choose to drop what I’m doing completely (but I don’t have to).
And I’m not attached to that one guiding principle either. It can change anytime. But right now that’s what gets me fired up.
This is what I found to be the most liberating way to live. And it really works for me!
So having said all that, don’t blindly follow anything I say. Create your own system – do what works for you – especially if it’s unconventional. It will give you more passion in carrying it out. If Captain Australia can create his own rules in life, you can too.
I’ll leave you with a clip that I was just reminded of. Curly is so right.
[youtube]zxY31-FcDVA[/youtube]
So, Markus, how is this concept playing out in your life (I was about to say working for you, lol)? Have you found that you catch yourself being a wandering vagabond? Or does your daily “routine” get an extra boost of energy because you’ve eliminated the rigidity?
I, mean, this all sounds great in theory. Who doesn’t want to wake up and seize the day only to remember that there are bills to pay that were accumulated during the time of calendars and schedules. I just wonder how is it really working for you. Do you have an 8-5 or did you quit it when you decided on your one thing?
The latter. It’s surprisingly liberating. I go where I want, we do what we want.
People generally become enslaved to their bills or to a certain type of lifestyle that they think “is acceptable”. It’s easy to forget that everything is a choice and everything that has led up to every now has been a consequence of choices (even if they weren’t entirely conscious).
I have been wandering, but certainly not in the hobo sense. I am a partner in a company that I founded during my previous time of calendars and schedules. Now I play with projects that are fun to me without any rigid plans or expectations.
While I still have to make money to afford traveling and dining and the rent for my home base, I’ve really gotten for myself that money is abundant and has more to do with my state of mind than actual currency flowing through my life at any current point in time. Money doesn’t make me happy. I make me happy. And when I am unattached to money, it flows more freely into my life. Which allows me to travel and have fun.
You know, most people would look at what you’re doing and read this and think, “Yeah, he doesn’t know a damn thing. He’s not living in reality like everyone else is.” I have to agree with you though. I’m currently in a situation where I could be considered unemployed.
I’m currently not going out to a job and working. I am, however, doing what I like to do by blogging and spending my time online sharing what I learn and do by helping others as best I can through my blog and website. I like it and I believe I will make money when I learn what it takes to make a big enough impression on someone and help them greatly.
Yeah, I don’t really aspire to live in reality. Unreality is a lot more fun.
Go get em, Eric. Do what you love and share it so it makes a difference in people’s lives. That’s the ultimate freedom. Good luck and have fun!
Bold, aren’t you?
Oh you speak my language. In fact, for the longest time, organized as I am, I ditched to-do lists because I felt so bound. I would fulfill my obligations but then let passion drive me during the spare time to wherever it may be, yoga, tango, blogging, reading, traveling, exercise, friends, learning, oh so much learning of everything I want to do just because – someone asked me why I am learning a certain language. Does there have to be a why or a reason to everything we do? I do as I please while being a responsible citizen of course 
! Life is much sweeter this way!
Agreed. Glad to connect with a fellow freespiriter. I like saying Farnoosh. Farnoosh. Farnooooosh. Let’s be friends now so I can say that all the time. (Farnoosh!)
You like my name, is that it?
It’s a pretty name I have to admit. Say it all you want. You are on for friendship. That is a killer photo on your profile, Markus!
I HEAR ya, brother! I will revisit this blog and read more articles.
Ten years ago I had my wife quit her tenured professorship and move to northern New Mexico with me. Ten years of heaven and hell, and mostly the latter. No money, debts, incredible regrets and hardships. Plus, Taos is a really harsh place to try to live anyway. But the major dilemma was in getting in touch with my true self. I’m a little closer now, and I recognize everything you mention in this post, even if I appear to be a bunch older than you.
You are mining spiritual gold here. That’s the thing. Way to go!
“Money doesn’t make me happy. I make me happy. And when I am unattached to money, it flows more freely into my life. Which allows me to travel and have fun.”
Yup.
Love the “playing with” idea Markus. I’ve just written a book called “Screw Work, Let’s Play” on this very topic. Will be reading more of your stuff…
I like that title – are you publishing it soon? Would love to check it out. Just visited your site – enjoying reading the Tim Smit interview as we speak.