Have you ever found yourself with a rare, unexpected gap in your schedule… and felt a strange sense of panic? Maybe it’s an hour between meetings, or a quiet afternoon when a project wraps up early. Instead of feeling relief, a little voice whispers, “What am I supposed to do now? I should be doing something.” You might instinctively reach for your phone, check emails, or just generally try to fill that void. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It’s a common feeling in our always-on world, where busyness is often mistaken for productivity.
But what if I told you that some of the most productive people in the world intentionally carve out time for not doing? That true productivity isn’t just about relentless action, but about strategic inaction? It sounds counterintuitive, I know. We’re constantly bombarded with messages about “crushing it,” “grinding,” and “getting more done.” The cultural narrative often tells us that if we’re not moving forward, we’re falling behind. This mindset pushes us to fill every minute, leaving no room for pause, reflection, or simply… being.
Yet, this constant “doing mode” comes at a cost. It leads to burnout, stifles creativity, and prevents us from seeing the bigger picture. My friend Brooks and I have spent years exploring productivity, and we’ve come to realize that the missing piece for many isn’t more hacks or faster execution. It’s the deliberate practice of stepping back, creating space, and allowing our minds to wander. This isn’t about being lazy; it’s about being intentional with your inaction. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is nothing at all.
The Pressure Cooker of Constant Activity
Why are we so obsessed with perpetual motion? Part of it is undoubtedly cultural. We see success equated with packed schedules and overflowing inboxes. There’s a subtle, sometimes not-so-subtle, guilt associated with downtime. If you have a gap in your calendar, you might feel like you’re being unproductive, or worse, lazy. This internal pressure is amplified by our work environments, where taking a moment to simply think or go for a walk might feel like a luxury you can’t afford, especially if you’re worried about what colleagues or managers might think.
Then there’s the ever-present pull of technology. Our phones, social media, and endless notifications are designed to capture our attention. I remember walking into a grocery store recently, having intentionally left my phone at home. As I waited in line, I looked around, and almost everyone else was engrossed in their devices. I was the odd one out, simply standing there, observing. This constant stimulation, this immediate urge to fill every micro-moment of downtime, erodes our ability to focus and think deeply. It trains our brains to be constantly reactive, rather than proactively strategic.
The Unseen Benefits of White Space
So, what happens when you intentionally create white space in your day? When you step away from the constant demands and allow your mind to breathe? The benefits are profound. Think about some of the most influential thinkers and leaders. Warren Buffett, for example, is known for maintaining a largely empty calendar, dedicating significant time to reading and thinking. Bill Gates famously takes “think weeks,” going off-grid to simply read and reflect. They understand that deep thinking and strategic clarity don’t happen amidst a flurry of activity; they require space.
This intentional inaction shifts you from “doing mode” to “strategy mode.” When you’re constantly executing, you’re often just reacting to what’s in front of you. But when you create margin, your brain has the opportunity to process, connect disparate ideas, and generate novel solutions. It’s like the difference between running a marathon every day and doing intense sprints followed by periods of recovery. The recovery isn’t wasted time; it’s essential for long-term performance and preventing burnout. It allows you to think two days, two weeks, or even two months ahead, rather than just focusing on the next immediate task.
Simple Ways to Cultivate Intentional Inaction
Incorporating more breaks and white space into your life doesn’t require a radical overhaul. It starts with small, deliberate choices. Here are a few practical ways to begin:
- Embrace the Silent Walk (or Ride): Try leaving your phone behind, or at least keeping it in your pocket, when you go for a short walk. Brooks shared how he intentionally walks from his car to his house without AirPods, allowing himself to transition from work to home life. I recently did something similar on an e-bike ride, choosing not to listen to music. The quiet allowed my mind to process conversations, appreciate my surroundings, and simply be. You’ll be surprised how many “shower thoughts” or creative insights emerge when you give your brain the freedom to wander without external stimulation.
- Schedule “Thinking Time”: This might sound contradictory, but intentionally blocking out time for unstructured thought can be incredibly powerful. I started with 30-minute blocks, sometimes with a specific question I wanted to ponder. This dedicated time, free from distractions, allows for deep reflection and problem-solving. It’s not about forcing an outcome, but about creating the conditions for insights to arise naturally. Even if you start with just 15-20 minutes once a week, the cumulative benefits are immense.
- Build in Buffer Blocks: Many of us jump from one meeting to the next without a moment to breathe. This “back-to-back” culture is exhausting. You can proactively build buffer time into your schedule. If you use a booking software like Calendly, you can program in automatic breaks between appointments. Even Outlook has a feature that can shorten meetings (e.g., a 30-minute meeting becomes 25 minutes, an hour becomes 50), giving you a built-in transition. These small pockets of time can be used to stretch, grab water, or simply clear your head before the next task.
- Leverage Technology (Wisely): While technology can be a distraction, it can also be an ally in creating more white space. For example, I use an AI note-taker that not only summarizes meetings but also tracks follow-up promises. If someone on a call says they’ll send me something, and they don’t within a set timeframe, the AI drafts a follow-up email for me. This automation frees up mental energy that would otherwise be spent remembering and chasing tasks, allowing me to focus on higher-level thinking.
Your Next Step
True productivity isn’t about doing more, but about doing what truly matters, and often, that requires the clarity and creativity that only comes from intentional rest and reflection. It’s about recognizing that your brain isn’t a machine meant for endless output; it’s a complex system that thrives on cycles of activity and rest.
So, for the upcoming week, I challenge you to try one simple thing: Look at your calendar. If you have a back-to-back meeting, can you adjust it to create a 10-15 minute buffer? Or, if you have an unexpected gap, instead of filling it with busywork, try to simply be. Put your phone away, go for a short walk, or just sit quietly and let your mind wander. See what happens. You might just discover your most powerful productivity tool yet.
