“You have only to rest in inaction and things will transform themselves. Smash your form and body, spit out hearing and eyesight, forget you are a thing among other things, and you may join in great unity with the deep and boundless.” ― Zhuangzi
Last episode, we talked about one of the greatest challenges we all face when we go in search of true personal growth — knowing the difference between genuine optimism and toxic positivity. This week, we're digging into the other insidious extreme that seems to crop up in growth mindset circles, and that's a relentless pursuit of productive, proactive, forward movement at all times.
🌶️ Spice up your inbox: Subscribe to the Beyond Your Default newsletter
Choosing a course of inaction or stillness is often viewed as a cop out move, steeped in passivity. That's why quotes like, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing," OR "The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything," from Theodore Roosevelt are so popular.
Heck, we love those quotes, too. And if you've listened to previous episodes of this show, you know George and I are huge fans of being the proactive architects of our own lives through the adoption of an owner's mentality, making the choice to be the victor instead of the victim, and so on.
Still, we believe in balance. You cannot be moving forward at all times. Not every moment — particularly deeply emotional moments — should be met with brute force productivity. In fact, sometimes the best course of action is inaction. Sometimes the most radical way forward is to choose intentional stillness.
⚡ Go Deeper: How to Set Healthy Expectations that Cultivate Growth, Confidence, + Self-Trust
In this episode, George and I share personal stories of how we've wrestled to strike that balance between productivity and stillness with profound results.
As George pointed out in our chat:
"Listen in the journey of beyond your default, stillness is not just about physical inactivity. It's a profound mental and emotional practice. It's about stepping out of the autopilot mode of existence and knee-jerk responses, and engaging with life in a way that is more conscious, thoughtful, and authentic."
Over the years, in our own ways, we've learned the hard way that action isn't always the best way forward, as well as what the consequences of failing to embrace moments of stillness truly are. So, join us for this illuminating conversation in which we uncover the power of stillness, of going within in pursuit of peace and personal growth. It's not always easy — that fine line between purposeful inaction and deferential passivity is a fine one — but it's essential.
Questions We Discuss
Why was George quite literally bouncing with excitement about this episode?
When have we learned the hard way that action isn't always the best course of action?
How have we put moments of stillness into practice in our own lives, and what were the results?
What is the difference between purposeful stillness and immobilized passivity that's going to bite you in the ass later on?
What are we doing internally during that time of stillness? What purpose does inaction serve for us? Is it a catalyst for an internalized process?
How do you know when stillness is the right choice?
When do you know it's time to start taking action again?
How do you handle it when folks react poorly to your choice to not take action? Where a reaction is wanted from you?
Why is learning to be still such a critical part of the beyond your default journey?
Genuine Positivity vs. Toxic Positivity and the Movement to Criminalize Emotions
Victim vs. Victor Mentality: Knowing + Living the Difference
How to Set Healthy Expectations that Cultivate Growth, Confidence, + Self-Trust
The Power of Language: Choosing Your Words to Shape Your Destiny