The benefits of being inefficient

A little while ago I started wearing a fitness tracker. To my dismay I discovered I hardly moved all day. No surprises really, as most of my work is done at the desk and on a computer.   I set myself up so well that I had everything within my seated reach.  I am the sort of person that would feel guilty walking from my desk to the kitchen to fill up my water bottle without also taking out the rubbish and collecting up any dishes on the way.  I had also begun to purchase my groceries online so I could achieve more at my desk. Someone else ran the aisles for my groceries, packed them in their truck and delivered them to my front door.  I had efficiently and effectively made myself sedentary.

There has been lots of chatter recently about sitting being the new smoking.  Under advice, I purchased my first standing desk so I can now alternate between standing and sitting. (I could not afford the treadmill desk.)  While this has health benefits it did not really address my inactive lifestyle. If I was going to add more steps to my days routine, I realised I had to give myself permission to become inefficient.

Along the way I have discovered the surprising benefits of becoming inefficient.  Previously the visitor at my door was an interruption to my workflow. Gulping coffee and snacking at my desk was preferred to taking a break. Now I delight in chance meetings. My digestion is better for eating slowly. My new attitude to life has opened the door to new adventures.   Hyper-efficiency I discovered is the antithesis to spontaneity and serendipity.  It is also bad for my health.

I am also enjoying kicking the addiction of multi-tasking. Just because I can does not mean I have to.  This type of juggling is not much fun and is stressful.  If this is inefficiency then it has provided a surprising tradeoff. Instead of being breathlessly busy and constantly planning I am enjoying the new singular focus and rediscovered what it means to be present in the moment. 

I do not think I will ever become totally inefficient and nor am I advocating laziness and disorganisation.  However, in a world that prides itself in fitting more into the day’s schedule I say “At what cost?”  There are benefits to inefficiency.  It took my fitness tracker to remind me of that.