To Be or Not to Be? A Quest to Mindful Doing

"To be or not to be?” - That is the question. Or perhaps, we should ask, "To do or not to do?" In this blog post, we dive into the delicate dance between being and doing, a fundamental aspect of the human experience. We are a species wired for action, driven by the desire to achieve, evolve, and manifest our dreams. However, it's vital to discern when to slow down, when to simply be, and when to engage in purposeful action or as I like to call it mindful doing.

My Personal Journey of Mindful Doing

I'd like to share a personal experience that profoundly changed my perspective on the delicate balance between "to be" and "to do." This story started when I embarked on a new business venture—a journey that many of you can relate to. As business owners, and even as individuals with personal goals and dreams, we often find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of achievement. We're constantly striving, checking off tasks, and pushing ourselves to attain success.
In the initial days of my new business, I was diligently working through my to-do list. Each day, I tackled tasks with what I believed was a conscious and deliberate approach. However, there came a day when I suddenly felt a deep sense of exhaustion. It was a moment when all I wanted was to take a day for myself.

The Day I Chose to Be Present

On that particular day, I made a conscious decision to take a break from the constant doing and simply be present. I set an intention to immerse myself in stillness, perhaps by reading a book or doing nothing at all. It was a day dedicated to creating space, a lot of space, filled with nothingness. Little did I know that this decision would lead to a profound revelation.
At the end of that day, during a dinner debrief of the day, I was asked "So, how was your day of doing nothing?" Surprisingly, I found myself saying, "Well, actually, a lot got accomplished. Many tasks were checked off my to-do list." It was a moment of realization for me. Doing, as it turned out, actually held a hidden power that I had not fully appreciated.

Embracing Mindful Doing

What made that day different from the others when I was relentlessly checking off tasks? It was how I related to my actions. I had learned to be while achieving, to infuse mindfulness into my daily tasks. I constantly asked myself, "What do I want in this moment?" I connected with my inner self as I worked through my list, and something incredible happened—I felt joy. I felt a sense of bliss, even in tasks that might have previously felt mundane or bothersome.
I realized that it wasn't about the sheer number of tasks accomplished but rather about the quality of my engagement with those tasks. The joy I experienced on that day was a testament to the power of mindful doing. It transformed what could have been a day of mundane tasks into one filled with contentment and even a sense of fun.

The Key Question: When To Be or To Do? 

So, how do we discern when it's time to be or not to be, to do or not to do? The answer, I've discovered, lies in our emotional and mental responses at the end of each task. 

Here’s your practice:

If, after completing a task, you feel at peace and joyful, then you know it's the right time to do more.

However, if you find yourself anxious or compelled to do more, that's the moment to be present and simply exist in the now.

It's crucial not to judge ourselves for these moments of being instead of doing. Recognize that this present moment is preparation for what's to come next. By appreciating and enjoying it, we can break free from the perpetual feeling that there's always more to do.

And I promise you when you practice this, every task that you accomplish, everything from walking the dog to checking your email to opening a book or making dinner is going to feel more joyful. And a byproduct of that is that it's going to be so much more successful. It's going to brighten people's day. It's going to open up new opportunities, relationships, and experiences for you.