Your point about "stolen downtime" resonates with me. It always has as it relates to my job(s). But it's been on my mind more than usual lately, as I do increasingly find myself gaining insights via my hobbies and practices (my writing practice in particular). In turn, I just as often feel myself being pulled away from them and the joy and meaning they bring.
I heard Post Malone say something that might sound fairly basic but that also struck me in a recent interview: "Success is being able to do what you want to do and not having to worry about not being able to do it." I agree. The time "stolen" from me frustrates me more and more the older I get (and the better I get at my hobbies), and I often wonder if the thing holding me back from my idea of success is the desire for stability that leaves me stuck in a life of Plan Bs.
Peter Gray's been writing some interesting stuff related to this at his Substack, Play Makes Us Human (https://petergray.substack.com/). It's funny, because he recently asked people to share what they'd do with their free time if they had more of it. I commented but then later deleted my comment because it felt to me, as you said re: CVs, that it was just a list of all the things that were supposed to be there: e.g., write, read, meditate, exercise, etc. It's true that all of those things are things I'd do. But I'd also watch more movies, listen to more podcasts, sit and do nothing, and just do lots of other things like that that give life a greater sense of space and time and slow unfolding.
It occurred to me recently while rewatching the film Drive My Car, which is three hours long and the sort of film that some describe as "slow-moving," that it didn't feel slow-moving at all to me, and that it felt like the characters and I were all moving at a perfect pace throughout the film's duration. I think this is part of the reason I like it—and other movies and books like it—so much. It slows life down to a speed that feels ideal to me.
Please don't feel the need to respond to any of this. I'm clearly rambling. Just wanted to mention what came to mind while reading the things that came to yours. Thanks for this, John.
I really loved this post because I WAS that person who hated being asked about my hobbies for so long. I might give a generic answer about travel or reading. But it was because I was overly focused on my work and (as much as I dislike Farage) there is a point there when someone is all about their work.
These days I'm more open about my passions (especially chess!) and love talking about it if it comes up in conversation. Thanks for sharing.
John - this resonates on so many levels. I'm not sure how I found your Substack but I am glad I did. I'm a co-founder of a micro management consultancy. I believe in the concept of mastery, deliberate practice and dedication to your craft. Prior to your article I was unsure how I can apply this to my work. Outside of work I apply mastery to golf (5 year vision, deliberate practice, learning et al).
For work I now know I can look again at areas like problem solving, relationships and communication with a mastery lens. Sounds like a plan for 2024 :) Thank you
Your point about "stolen downtime" resonates with me. It always has as it relates to my job(s). But it's been on my mind more than usual lately, as I do increasingly find myself gaining insights via my hobbies and practices (my writing practice in particular). In turn, I just as often feel myself being pulled away from them and the joy and meaning they bring.
I heard Post Malone say something that might sound fairly basic but that also struck me in a recent interview: "Success is being able to do what you want to do and not having to worry about not being able to do it." I agree. The time "stolen" from me frustrates me more and more the older I get (and the better I get at my hobbies), and I often wonder if the thing holding me back from my idea of success is the desire for stability that leaves me stuck in a life of Plan Bs.
Peter Gray's been writing some interesting stuff related to this at his Substack, Play Makes Us Human (https://petergray.substack.com/). It's funny, because he recently asked people to share what they'd do with their free time if they had more of it. I commented but then later deleted my comment because it felt to me, as you said re: CVs, that it was just a list of all the things that were supposed to be there: e.g., write, read, meditate, exercise, etc. It's true that all of those things are things I'd do. But I'd also watch more movies, listen to more podcasts, sit and do nothing, and just do lots of other things like that that give life a greater sense of space and time and slow unfolding.
It occurred to me recently while rewatching the film Drive My Car, which is three hours long and the sort of film that some describe as "slow-moving," that it didn't feel slow-moving at all to me, and that it felt like the characters and I were all moving at a perfect pace throughout the film's duration. I think this is part of the reason I like it—and other movies and books like it—so much. It slows life down to a speed that feels ideal to me.
Please don't feel the need to respond to any of this. I'm clearly rambling. Just wanted to mention what came to mind while reading the things that came to yours. Thanks for this, John.
I really loved this post because I WAS that person who hated being asked about my hobbies for so long. I might give a generic answer about travel or reading. But it was because I was overly focused on my work and (as much as I dislike Farage) there is a point there when someone is all about their work.
These days I'm more open about my passions (especially chess!) and love talking about it if it comes up in conversation. Thanks for sharing.
John - this resonates on so many levels. I'm not sure how I found your Substack but I am glad I did. I'm a co-founder of a micro management consultancy. I believe in the concept of mastery, deliberate practice and dedication to your craft. Prior to your article I was unsure how I can apply this to my work. Outside of work I apply mastery to golf (5 year vision, deliberate practice, learning et al).
For work I now know I can look again at areas like problem solving, relationships and communication with a mastery lens. Sounds like a plan for 2024 :) Thank you