When I look back on the times when I've been absolutely consumed by productivity, it's ironic how counterproductive that can be. I've often ended up in this vortex of 'productivity maximalism', where it seems like everything is about working harder, working smarter, achieving more. It's like running on a hamster wheel that's continually accelerating, but we forget to ask ourselves, why are we running in the first place?
Being productive, especially for those of us who are fortunate enough to have a lot of influence or resources, shouldn't just be about squeezing every ounce of efficiency out of ourselves and the world around us. That's not the point. We aren't machines built for a single, relentless purpose. Our lives shouldn't revolve solely around work, or the endless cycle of toil and striving for productivity.
The flip side of this coin is enjoyment, fun, celebration. Yes, I'm talking about parties.
It may sound frivolous to some, but think about it. As individuals who can drive change, solve problems, it's our responsibility to cultivate an environment where people have the time and resources to celebrate. We don't always need to be the party-throwers, but we should be catalysts, creating conditions in which more people can experience the joy of letting loose, of simply having a good time.
For me, it's both. I want to host memorable parties, sure, but I also want to make it possible for others to do the same.
I want people to have enough, to be thriving so profoundly that the question becomes:
"What more is there to do but to dance, create art, play games, connect, and flourish even more?"
Yet, it's incredibly easy to get lost in our own rat race. We might escape the corporate world's golden handcuffs, only to shackle ourselves with a self-imposed obsession with productivity. We can inadvertently build our own prisons, where our lives are anything but balanced.
Sometimes, we just need to chill. To dance. To create music. To connect with others on a deep, authentic level. To let ourselves relax, to remind ourselves that these moments of joy, of leisure, are a significant part of life.
In essence, our job as productive people is to make room for more parties, literally and figuratively. After all, what's the point of all our hard work, if not to create a world in which we can all enjoy the fruits of our labor?
The aim is to make life not just about surviving, but about thriving, dancing, and celebrating. Because at the end of the day, life is the party. And it's up to us to make it a good one.
