If Doing Nothing Has Become the Hardest Thing to Do—Try This!

“How do I actually do nothing?” came a hesitant question from one of my participants during a recent leadership workshop.

I paused, intrigued. “Well,” I said, “you don’t do it. Doing nothing isn’t about doing anything. It’s about being—being in the nothingness.”

There was a long silence before a mischievous voice piped up, “So, can I fall asleep?” He was half-joking, looking for an easy way out of the exercise.

“Nope. That would be sleeping,” I replied, amused.

“Can I take a walk?”

“Well, walking is doing something, so… no,” I smiled.

“How about listening to music or a podcast?”

“No,” I said again.

“Smoke a cigarette?”

“Definitely not.” I laughed.

I left him with the challenge for the night, curious about how he’d fare. This exchange, light-hearted as it was, hit at something deeper: our discomfort with stillness. 

In two decades of coaching leaders and professionals, I’ve watched how, year after year, it becomes increasingly difficult for people to do nothing. 

Whether they’re executives, household managers, or both, many can’t seem to break free from the constant pull of busyness.

It’s as if we’ve been conditioned to fill every moment with action or input. Even when we’re not working, we’re scrolling through social media, consuming content, or planning our next move. 

The idea of simply sitting in silence—of not doing—feels foreign, if not downright uncomfortable.

The problem? This endless cycle of doing, of staying “on,” comes at a price.

The High Cost of Constant Doing

When we’re constantly bombarded by external stimuli, we lose touch with one of our greatest resources: our inner wisdom. In the whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, notifications, and to-do lists, our intuition—the quiet voice inside us—gets drowned out.

The creativity, insights, and ideas that arise from stillness become muffled by the noise of the outside world.

Twenty years ago, meditation, mindfulness, or simply “disconnecting” were considered soft skills in the corporate world—something for those on the fringes of professional success. 

Today, the landscape has changed. It’s rare to meet a leader who hasn’t implemented some form of daily practice to manage the constant barrage of thoughts and external pressure.

Yet, the art of doing nothing remains elusive for many. And that’s where the real magic lies. 

Not in structured meditation sessions or mindfulness apps, but in embracing the void—entering a state of pure being.

My Journey with Doing Nothing

For nearly 25 years, I’ve meditated daily. It’s been a foundational part of my routine, a practice that helps me stay grounded and aligned with my deeper self.

But doing nothing is a different experience altogether.

Nothingness, for me, is a more fluid, expansive state. It’s not about focusing on the breath or repeating a mantra. It’s about simply existing—and I absolutely love it.

I’ve seen firsthand how transformative this practice can be, and I’d like to share the process with you. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or someone who can’t sit still for five minutes, these six steps will guide you into the art of nothingness.

6 Steps to Doing Nothing (Without Meditating)

1. Find Your Spot in Nature: Start by choosing a place in nature that resonates with you. I often go to a secluded spot near the ocean where the sounds of wind, waves, and birds dominate. It’s important to avoid spaces filled with artificial or mechanical noises—nature should be the primary soundtrack. Choose your next forest or a silent park if you will.
2. Set Up Comfortably: Find a position where you can sit upright, yet comfortably. Make sure you won’t get cold or feel tempted to doze off. The goal is to remain alert yet relaxed.
3. Keep Your Eyes Open: This is key. Unlike meditation, where closing your eyes can help you focus inward, doing nothing means keeping your senses open to the world around you. Simply observe and listen to whatever comes into your awareness without trying to control it.
4. Merge with Nature: Allow yourself to gradually become part of your surroundings. Feel the wind on your skin, the rhythm of the waves, the rustle of leaves. Don’t stress about achieving some “deep” state. Just let your nervous system sync with the pace of nature.
5. Release any Expectations: This is perhaps the most important step. Have no expectations. Don’t look for insights or epiphanies. Just be.
6. Feel When It’s Time to Stop: After an hour or two (or sometimes even three), you’ll naturally feel a sense of completion. This is your signal that you’ve done enough nothing for now.

The Surprising Outcome of Doing Nothing

The next morning, my workshop participant came back looking different. His face was lighter, his energy more relaxed. I knew something significant had happened.

As he shared with the group, it became clear that he had experienced a breakthrough. For the first time in years, he had accessed a place of deep stillness for hours, a space where he wasn’t doing anything. 

And from that stillness came clarity. He knew exactly what to do next in key areas of his life—without overthinking, without stress.

This is the power of nothingness. When you stop doing, you make space for your deeper wisdom to emerge. Your actions, then, come from a place of alignment, making them more effective, meaningful, and impactful.

Why Nothingness Matters in Leadership

As leaders, we’re constantly tasked with making decisions, solving problems, and driving results. There’s an unspoken pressure to always be “on”—to always be thinking, strategizing, or producing.

But this constant state of doing things is unsustainable. It leads to burnout, poor decision-making, and a disconnection from our core values and purpose.

Incorporating the practice of nothingness into your routine offers a much-needed reset. It allows you to return to your work with fresh perspectives, renewed energy, and a sense of clarity that can’t be achieved through busyness alone.

In fact, some of the world’s greatest thinkers and innovators—people like Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs—were known to embrace periods of doing nothing. They understood that it’s in these moments of stillness that the most profound ideas and solutions arise.

How to Make Doing Nothing Part of Your Day

So, how can you incorporate this practice into your busy schedule? Here are a few ideas to start with:

1. Start Small: You don’t need hours. Begin with 10-15 minutes of nothingness each day. Find a quiet spot, let go of your to-do list, and just sit.
2. Use Transition Times: Waiting in line or commuting? Instead of pulling out your phone, take these moments to do nothing. Simply observe your surroundings without engaging with them.
3. Prioritize Nature: Whenever possible, do your nothingness practice in nature. The natural world has a way of grounding us and helping us return to a state of stillness more easily.
4. Let Go of Guilt: Doing nothing can feel unproductive, especially if you’re used to always being in motion. But remember, this is about long-term productivity. By giving yourself space to just be, you’ll become more effective when it’s time to do.

The Long-Term Benefits of Nothingness

Over time, this practice will begin to have a profound impact on your leadership, your creativity, and your overall well-being. You’ll find that you’re able to make decisions with more clarity, approach challenges with greater resilience, and experience a deeper sense of fulfillment in both your professional and personal life.

And perhaps most importantly, you’ll rediscover the joy of simply being.

Ready to Try Doing Nothing?

So, what’s stopping you? If doing nothing has become the hardest thing for you to do, I challenge you to try it. 

In our hyper-connected, always-on world, the art of doing nothing is more important than ever. It’s a simple practice with profound benefits. So, give yourself permission to stop, to sit, and to simply be. You might be surprised by what you discover.

Let your next great action come from stillness. It’s there that you’ll find not only clarity, but a deep and lasting sense of purpose.

How do you plan to integrate doing nothing into your busy life? Let me know in the comments.

And if you’d like to explore how this practice can enhance your leadership and your life, let’s talk. I’ve worked with thousands of leaders and managers across the globe, helping them find both success and fulfillment through practices like this.

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