Comments on: Inner Peace is Overrated

By: Lela Davidson

Lela Davidson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:58:22 +0000

While I agree that the *good* stress feels great for a while, eventually you have to come back down to reality – and if you stay in the pressure zone too long, no matter how productive and exciting, I think you’ll still feel the effects over time.

By: David

David — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:26:44 +0000

I disagree with Reformed Stresser regarding all stress being the same. If I have a dream project, one I’m in love with and I’m up against a strict deadline I feel motivated and inspired to complete it AS I’m feeling the stress and pressure. However, if I’m involved with something I loathe but have a deadline I must reach then I probably feel miserable and have a brain-busting headache. The key, is doing (as often as we can) the things that feed our mission and purpose. And yes, balance is the key. There is a time for motivating stress and a time for inner peace. We all need to find time to go within and spend time in silence. It’s the only way to truly know who we are at our core. What’s more important than that? Certainly not seeing how much more we can get done at work.

By: Lela Davidson

Lela Davidson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:55:20 +0000

Office Humorist, I agree that we have to break out of our comfort zones to grow. Sometimes a deadline can be your best friend.

By: Lela Davidson

Lela Davidson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:51:08 +0000

Reformed Stresser makes a good point too. The amount of rest needed varies so much from one individual to the next. But we’re always comparing ourselves to others, aren’t we?

By: Lela Davidson

Lela Davidson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:49:52 +0000

Too true, Greenman. Interesting point about the monasteries. Also very insightful about the advice we receive from the overachievers ‘from behind the mask of their public persona’. We don’t see them having a panic attack at 3am.

By: Lela Davidson

Lela Davidson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:44:56 +0000

Good point, Drea, but it sure takes a steady mind to strike the right balance. ‘Too relaxed to work’ is definitely a problem.

By: Drea

Drea — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:00:25 +0000

Great post, Lela! I think it depends on the individual. Some people just don’t handle stress very well, while others thrive on bucketloads of it. I’ve noticed that when I become compulsive about work (workaholicky, for lack of better words), that means I could use rest. Likewise, when I feel too relaxed to work, I could use some stress. Like Green Man indicated, balance is probably the most sane path.

By: Green Man

Green Man — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:55:59 +0000

The right balance between demanding stresses and detachment from the material plane seems to be essential for a healthy human life that is both productive and fulfilling. Hospitals & psychiatrist offices are full of people who have the demanding stresses part right, but can’t seem to transcend their perpetual co-dependent engagement with externalities by spending quality time with their own souls. Similarly, monasteries and rehab facilities are full of people who spend lots of quality time with their own souls, but don’t engage very productively with the material world. Like many things in the Western World, overachieving is overrated by overachievers, who gain access to the media because of the notoriety of their overachievements and then give us all advice from behind the mask of their public persona. Try living with and loving an overachiever and then you will see where the lack of balance actually leads. You may find that The Middle Way is the most desirable path with the most enduring satisfactions.

By: Reformed Stresser

Reformed Stresser — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:57:17 +0000

I used to be a firm believer in stress-makes-me-a-better-worker camp. After all, when I was in school, the years I had less overall activity, the worse my grades were. However, I have found that works only to a point. The body doesn’t see the difference between “good stress” and “bad stress” – it only sees stress and it is a matter of time until all that stress catches up with you. A little rest makes you overall stronger and gives your body a chance to catch up. Sure, for some people, that might be 1 day twice a year as compared to two weeks, but I think everyone needs a little rest. Call me crazy.

By: Office Humorist

Office Humorist — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:01:46 +0000

I think it’s certainly a balance, but I agree that stress is needed in order to get better. It’s like working out–the only way you can increase your capacity and productivity is to continue to push past previous limits.

I explore the idea further in a post called Why Stress Isn’t a Bad Thing if you want read more on that concept.