A couple of weeks ago I came across this quote from Steve Jobs.
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.”
I’m coming to the conclusion that we seriously underestimate the power of what we say NO to. We focus a lot of attention on trying to get better at one thing or another, meanwhile continuing on with distractions, activities we aren’t passionate about, people we don’t connect very deeply with, meetings we don’t want to be at, and more. Steve Jobs was talking about inventing, creating. But aren’t we all inventing and creating our lives all the time?
“You have to pick carefully,” he said – the creator-visionary behind Apple computers and all that followed. While he may have been divinely inspired, or had a “eureka” moment (or lots of ‘em), that isn’t what he was talking about. He was talking about the sorting process. The choosing process. Weeding the garden.
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[/custom_frame_left]I believe this has relevance not only in major creative ventures (like Apple computers et al) but also in our daily lives, our weekly lives, the way our lives are coming together at this very moment.
Have you ever known someone who finally dumped a bad relationship and focused on themselves for awhile… and a few weeks later met “the one?” Saying no is powerful stuff.
In the garden, we have to do this all the time. When we don’t, aaagh! It’s no longer a garden but a creeping wilderness. A garden, by definition, is where humans and nature interact. Any gardener knows she/he is not in complete control in the garden – who knows what can happen next? And yet, without human intention, it is not a garden. It’s a wild spot. So we set the intention (a rose garden, a veggie garden, an herb garden) and then we interact with nature in varying degrees of effort, intuition, and things-beyond-our-control.
One of the biggest choices becomes what we say NO to. NO to the happy little weed seedlings mixed in with the spring lettuce. NO to the pigweed sprouting in the baby beets. NO to the clover and crab grass creeping in around the edges. NO to the bindweed and dandelions. Dandelions in the garden
If we fail to say NO, we soon have a deserted-lot-look instead of the garden we imagined. There’s nothing wrong with a deserted lot, but it’s definitely not a garden.
If Steve Jobs had not been diligent about saying NO to what didn’t fit with his vision, what would I be typing on this moment? What would the world be missing?
It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but right now, I have to say NO most vehemently to wasting time… meandering, distractions, too much Facebook or CNN.
Here’s what really brought it to my attention. For the first time in my life, I’m on a time-clock at a call center (Silent Unity). Not only do I punch in and out, but I also account for all my time during the day. “Available” for a call. “On scheduled break,” and more. It’s not as rigid as it sounds because we are totally in charge of keeping track and no one is breathing down our necks about any of it. But still, when I keep track of what I’m doing for 40 hours a week I come to acknowledge the value of each minute.
So back home… how easy is it to “waste” 30 minutes catching up reading on Facebook or following strange stories on CNN? Sure, I like to do both and I learn and feel connected. But how much is enough? I’ve watched whole evenings fly by with nothing except supper, cleanup, pack bag for tomorrow… and sitting at my computer.
Wait a minute?! What happened to my singing practice time? What about playing my accordion which I’m loving to learn? What about the amazing book I’m reading?
I think I forgot to pick carefully.
So today, I’m writing my blog first (before I start in on the all-consuming bookkeeping and bill-paying). I’ve closed my email program so I’m not distracted by incoming notices. I’m paying attention to the precious value of each moment, whatever I may choose to do.
I have writing projects I want to bring into the world. I want to improve as a singer/songwriter/performer. I want to write songs. I want to be with my family, and totally be present and enjoy them. I want to stay connected to my community and my dear friends. I want to make a difference for good in the world.
What do I need to say NO to? Do I have the vision and clarity and fortitude to do so?
While I do believe in the eternalness of the soul and in more than one lifetime (you don’t have to agree, I won’t argue with you)… it’s pretty obvious that this individual lifetime as ME-LINDA will eventually end.
But at the moment, I’m blessed with health, energy, vitality, inspiration, my loving husband and family. I choose to honor the inspiration I’m being given by saying NO.
NO to all the ideas and activities that are not true to the highest vision…to make room for the greatest, most love-filled dreams to come true.
“Innovation is saying NO to 1000 things.” Today I’m intensely aware of that. And that’s a good thing.
