As human beings, we spend our time either consuming or creating. Consuming experiences, sustenance, and feelings; and creating those things for others and ourselves. Both are important, and both can be enjoyable. There is however a time for one, and a time for another.
When we talk about productivity, and ‘being productive’ we are usually (although though not exclusively) talking about creating. We mean we have to ‘do stuff’ for someone else to consume. Look at your to-do list – it will mainly fit this bill – shopping, writing that report, making that phone call etc.
So what? Well, the biggest stopper to us creating, is when we slip back into consumption mode without realising it. We call it procrastination or distraction, but that is all that has happened – the creating has stopped and the consuming has started.
Maybe consumption is our default position as humans. That hunter-gather instinct to watch and learn rather than jump-first-think-later. It is quite a protective instinct, as is well documented in a million-and-one other places. You see creation is a risky process, mainly as there is a good chance that some part of what you are doing is bound to fail. But consumption is safe. It’s almost osmosis-like – you sit, you watch, you absorb.
But sadly the world needs you to create – in a whole number of ways, but those are an entirely different genre of blogs. And it is hard – because you need to focus your attention on what you are doings and try not to check your e-mail, browse the web, listen to the radio, chat to a friend, make a cup of tea, make another cup of tea, organise your stationery, have a cookie…
The thing is, it is much easier than that – just spot when you have slipped into consumption. Every 5 minutes ask yourself “am I creating or consuming?” and readjust if necessary. So have you finished consuming this post? Good, lets go and create.
