So close yet so far. It appears that the closer we are to something: the gym, the pool, a loved one even, we are less likely to invest our time with them.
We avoid what’s closest to us because proximity obviates the need for effort. When it’s too easy, we have a propensity to get stuck in inertia.
Our motivational sweet-spot lies somewhere between opportunity and effort.
Why do anything?
Procrastination is the purest form of idleness. Trading in long-term value for short-term convenience is a lazy compromise.
We shouldn’t need a crisis to wake us up out of our stupor.
We all inherent the same amount of time. Those who get off their ass and jump into the world with aliveness tend to do things that matter.
Comments
16 responses to “The paradox of proximity”
Great things happen when the monkey mind goes silent.
Procrastination gets in the way of the true magic in your business and life .
Interesting! Thanks for the feedback.
I’ve had recent conversations with two different girlfriends about the perils of living with someone, one of them married and one of them unmarried. What they have in common? Feeling underappreciated, taken for granted. Such a common challenge. Thanks for sharing!
The Amazon life. We have to compel ourselves to move.
Hmm…never really thought about it much, but I have to say for the most part I agree. It’s amazing how much we don’t do things when they are close and easy.
“Convenience is a lazy compromise.” So true. Especially now, you never have to leave your house. Get your groceries delivered. Get your dry-cleaning delivered. Get your movies delivered immediately to your TV screen. Pretty soon, we’ll be like those lazy people on “Wall-E” movie where they have machines moving them from place to place. So sad for the future of humankind.
😹 Well said.
We have become a society that is too self-involved. So many of us are consumed social media and binge watching the latest shows. I’m amazed that were able to feed ourselves, bathe or go to work.
That’s a prime example. Thank you for pointing that out.
So true and insightful
This is interesting, I’ve never thought about it that way. The first thing that comes to mind is life in Alaska, where many were homesteading and living off of sustenance until the government stepped in and provided a lot of money and food, etc. for free, which led to less of a need to go out and gather food and supplies, which led to boredom, which led to substance abuse. This is a very generalized example but it has happened.
That’s right! Stay motivated.
Very true. There’s an economic barrier as well but simply making the solo effort to walk around or visit the zoo could make you appreciate the city more.
That’s how we are with DC. We never go in to enjoy the city unless we have guests.
The evil word of idleness which leads to being lazy. What a winding path this leads us. Always find something to do and accomplish, especially if your making goals.