One Strategy for Running a Successful Home Business: Take Time for Not Doing

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Vicki Dello Joio

As I’ve devoted energy into my own business over this last week, I’ve noticed that I’ve been living under the specter of “one more thing-itis.” It feels like I’ve been running and running yet somehow still staying in the same place. One part of me is pleased by the illusion of perpetual productivity, while another voice inside insists that it’s important to balance doing the work I love with some time for reflection and replenishment, a “space in-between,” where I might balance the expansion of my outward energy (or yang state of activity) with times of internal focus (or yin state of receptivity).

Yet I resist. Too often in that space of non-doing, I end up feeling guilty or, god forbid, non-productive. Then, because my brain has hit a wall and I just have to do something, I find myself sitting in front of the tube watching instant play reruns of old tv shows. While this choice may succeed in silencing the “do-do” (doodoo?) mutter in my brain, it still doesn’t feel very good nor do I end up getting recharged.

In a chapter of my book The Way of Joy, I write about a principle I call Balance Brings Harmony and how often I’ve been struck by how many students and friends have said they feel ashamed to admit they have taken time during the day to read a novel, do a crossword puzzle, or take a nap. For most people, even vacation time is barely long enough to stop the internal buzz before picking up their “real life” once again.

By contrast, Wayne Dyer, author and inspirational speaker, has said, “It is the silence between the notes that makes the music. It is out of the silence, the gap, or that space between our thoughts that everything is created, including our own bliss.” Opening internal space, then, actually gives birth to our inspiration.

I remember hearing a story by the brilliant, heart-filled Jungian storyteller, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, about Picasso in his garden…

Want to have some fun telling stories? Interested in getting up on stage and performing? Join Vicki in her Playback Theater Improvisation class beginning Jan. 28 (with final class performance May 20)

Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Book: The Way of Joy: An Evolutionary Process to Awaken Inspiration, Focus Intention and Manifest Fulfillment, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.

This entry was posted in The Art of Balancing and Centering and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
  • Chitvan

    Thank you, Vicki!! Loved the story!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sherry-Mouser/1606129160 Sherry Mouser

    One of my favorite ways to relax and “do nothing” is to soak leisurely in a warm bath. I just let my mind drift. Sometimes, during this time or “taking off,” an inspiration bubbles up into my consciousness… an answer to something that had me stuck previously, perhaps relating to a technical question of how to accomplish a task for a client, or a communication issue, what to say to a relative or friend. Sometimes it is a flash of a memory of an experience from my past that sheds light on an issue I’m working on in the present.

    I love your telling of the Picasso story. An excellent reminder as I start my work day with my list of “to dos.”

    • http://www.wayofjoy.com Vicki Dello Joio

      I think that taking baths is an under-appreciated strategy for relaxing the brain and opening up creative centers. One reason to welcome the cooling weather!

  • John Kadyk

    Thanks, Vicki! Great and inspiring post. I’ve found two of the problems of working from home are 1) there are always more items on the to-do list, as you say; and 2) you never get to go home from the office. So it’s necessary to deliberately create that personal time (or time away from focus on work tasks). As my business has gotten more home-based, I’ve also found it useful to not to always look only at the unchecked items on the to-do list, but when I’m feeling stuck, to also look back at the ones I’ve checked off to remind myself that I have accomplished a lot. This makes my to-do list feel a little friendlier ;-) . Otherwise it’s easy to punish myself for ‘sitting around at home’ when in fact I’ve been working the whole time.

    At this point, when I’m feeling stuck, one of my favorite ways to open up and get inspired is to check Vicki’s blog!

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      I so agree about looking over the checked off items. Sometimes I even add extras I have done so I can check them off ;D. So glad you like my blog!

  • http://susan-berland.com/ Susan Berland

    I love the Pablo story. When I’m feeling stressed and worried about all the “work” awaiting me I remember that a lot of my work is really fun and I get to do that! How lucky I am that I enjoy my work and have doing it. Then I do some deep breathing to calm my mind and my spirit. It’s just enough of a break to help me back to productivity.

    Susan Berland
    A Picture’s Worth
    http://susan-berland.com

  • http://beachbodycoach.com/kirkzacharda Kirk Zacharda

    I love your wisdom and energy. I actually spent the weekend quite a few hours working on my certification to become a licensed SNCC coach. I found that my words and ideas flowed easily after I would pause and turn within for a few minutes. It is truly amazing when we are able to allow our source to unfold through us and just be the vehicle it uses to show forth its beauty.

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      Fantastic, Kirk. And congratulations on your SNCC certification!

  • Sandy Krestan

    Wow, did I need to hear that today. Thanks, Vicki, for all the good energy to bring to all of us.

  • Joellen

    Vicki, I love Clarissa Pinkola Estes book ‘Women Who Run With the Wolves’… It’s sitting right here on my desk. Thank you for reminding me of this story. It’s very timely as I am getting my business started, and going through a very long to do list. I just told a friend how wonderful it is to get up and do something I love and am excited about, but I needed this reminder to replenish and to remember the space between the notes is what keeps it fun.

  • http://www.harryhart-browne.com Harry Hart-Browne

    I love these other comments! They are so insightful. Vicki, you’re a very gifted storyteller. So warm, engaging and captivating. It’s both fun and healing just to watch delightful you. Stuff often comes to me while I’m in the shower. Also while putting groceries away, doing physical things, not thinking and – Pop – in comes a thought. My inner voice is much nicer than it used to be…it kind of evolved from: “Do this, do that, hurry up!” to “Would you like to try this now?” For me, it all boils down to being kind to myself. The gentle inner voice is relaxing and seems to create the opening for inspiration. Thanks for your wonderful work.

  • http://julieannecasefromtheheart.com Julieanne Case

    Well, I so get that part of playing while painting. Many times when I am painting I’m giggling or squealing with delight at what is happening on the canvas. I too feel very guilty that I have sat almost an entire day to just read a mystery because I didn’t want to “do” a thing. To hell with my business, the housework, the laundry, organizing, tweeting. It’s a time of Don’t bother me I can’t cope! Painting gives me the most enjoyment. I will feel the most refreshed and exhausted too. But a good exhausted. All time stops for me. Lately I just don’t want to be intruded on by the world!

    Julieanne Case
    Always from the heart!

    Reconnecting you to your essence, joy, vitality, youth.| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | AgeLoc Skin Care | Pharmanex Supplements

    http://thereconnectivehighway.com

  • Allison

    I so needed to hear this today, Vicki! Running my own business, sometimes from home often makes me feel too overwhelmed to do anything and I get stuck in doing nothing. I love hearing how Picasso brought fluidity to his definitions of work and rest. For me, it helps get me moving to take my work on the road and change up the location. If I’m having a creative/ collaborative meeting, I’ll see if we can take the first part of it on a walk, brainstorming together and coming back to take notes at the end. Or I’ll take myself out to lunch and bring work to do in my favorite coffee shop. Often, I take breaks from my work to do one of my favorite chi kung practices I learned from you in the sunshine or play with my dogs for a half hour before getting back to work.

  • Pingback: A Natural Remedy for Stress: Part Two—Presence |

  • Annie Kane

    I love the Picasso story too. It reminds me that no one else can really define rest or work for me. “One woman”s work is another woman’s rest?” My best thing to do when I get stuck is to go outside and sweep the patio and walkways in the backyard or rake leaves. Lately I’ve tried doing Qigong out back under the bougainvillea. it feels good, but it doesn’t come to mind as naturally as the sweeping and raking…yet.
    Annie

  • Pingback: Strategy for Running a Home Business, Part 2: Balance |

  • Sharon Ellison

    I love this story, and ALWAYs (As you know, Vicki) need the reminder to truly rest. I’m actually getting a bit better at resting without out guilt and, surprise, surprise, it is completely changing the quality of my rest. Thanks. I needed your focus again, just now.

  • Cathy Winsor

    Darling Vicki, You just described my whole day today. I knew I needed to rest from an overburdened schedule, but I couldn’t stop thinking that I was wasting the whole day. In the meantime, I went out to my garden with visions for the spring garden I wanted. This brought me a lot of peace. No, I didn’t do my huge walk, or even get fully dressed. But my head, despite itself, was busy with the future spring! I’ll be out there around May 1st again and would love to connect. XXXCathy

  • http://www.fourquadrantliving.com Dina Colman

    Yes, I’ve been feeling like I’ve had too much outward energy. It’s exhausting me. Earlier this week, I just couldn’t do any more work so I did take an hour to “free read” (non-fiction) which felt totally decadent but absolutely necessary! Thanks for the reminder that it is okay.