Performative Nonsense

Just now

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We all look busy, but are we really?

It's incredible how we've mastered the art of looking busy while making little to no progress. In fact, some say '_looking busy_' is the golden ticket to excelling in the corporate world. The plans that go on the sticky notes plastered everywhere, the cute journals, productivity apps, motivational quotes, and a whole bunch of stuff that doesn't get you anywhere.

When you really look at it, we're always in the preparation stage. We've now become so creative at conceiving ideas and prepping ourselves for the execution stage, yet never really getting there. We've confused being busy with productivity, and productivity with making actual progress.

It's now more about the optics with zero substance.

I won't deny there's a comfort that comes with starting something new, planning, imagining the endless possibilities, doing the research, organizing your thoughts and preparing. But are we really giving it a go?

The thing is, progress may look less impressive than we imagine. A bad first attempt or an unfinished first draft is not impressive, but it's still progress. You only know it's bad because you went through with your plans.

Progress doesn't have to look performative or impressive, and that's something we need to get real comfortable with. At some point, something has to exist outside our intentions.

You intend to lose some weight; get to it!

You intend to work on your communication; start now!

You intend to be more collaborative at work; start showing up for others!

You intend to learn a new skill: start learning and stop adding more courses to your cart.

The idea is to get things done, not just give the impression that you are.

Photo by Nicola POWYS on Unsplash