The Riddle of Rest - More To That

The Riddle of Rest - More To That

Neuroscientists are now finding evidence for what the Daoists have known for millennia: that in any given moment, the mind is engaged in a tug-of-war along two fronts. The first front is the mind’s tendency to aimlessly wander. To let thought bounce around from one point to the next, and to do so in an uninhibited manner. The second front is the mind’s tendency to fixate on one specific thing. It has the keen ability to ignore the innumerable sensory inputs that are competing for attention, and to instead direct it toward an identifiable object of focus. And as this happens, all the thoughts about what you need to get done and what you need to accomplish take center stage again.

In essence, this is simply how the mind works. In the same way that darkness cannot be identified without the knowledge of light, wandering cannot be understood without the ability to focus. We all know that rest is important, but what is it exactly? Interestingly, the answers to all those questions can be “yes,” even if they contradict one another. And the reason is that ultimately, rest is when you’re not associating your self-worth with what you have to do next.

There’s this stark reminder of something that snaps you out of the moment, and pivots your mind to the future. Whenever you’re thinking of something you have to do next, you are no longer resting. And chances are, whatever you have to do next is either to fulfill a responsibility to another or to prove to yourself that you’re competent. There is a subtle notion of self-worth being smuggled into the picture, knowing that you what you have to do next occupies the domain of interacting with others. That’s why rest is ultimately about doing things that have nothing to do with the furthering of your place in society.

The reason why a still lake is the archetype for a still mind is because it flows without any intention. The currents softly rise without breaking, and in the instances where it does, it happens without aggression. Rest is to take those moments to understand that you’re not defined by what you produce, and to be okay with whatever you are. It’s to allow that emptiness of mind to prolong whenever you see something beautiful, and to understand that this is not an anomaly, but a glimpse into the reality of what truly is.

ファーストリテイリング柳井会長に見る経営者のセンス | 楠木建 | テンミニッツTV

戦略は組み合わせではなく、時間を考慮した順列なのだ。実際、時間的な奥行きと広がりこそが戦略構想力の8割を占めている。常に「それでだ」と言って話を作ることができる人は、センスがあるだろう。 センスのある人は、どんな具体的な状況に直面しても、「要するにこういうことだ」と一段階抽象化して論理を捉えることができるのだ。その論理を頭に入れておき、どんな場面でも取り出せる人こそ、経営のセンスがある。 センスとは、具体と抽象の往復運動の振れ幅が大きく、頻度が多く、スピードが速いことを意味する.

When we talk about sense, it's not just about the ability to create a compelling story or come up with innovative ideas. It goes beyond that. Sense is about understanding the intricacies of time and how it shapes our strategies. It's about considering the depth and breadth of time in our strategic planning, as it accounts for about 80% of our strategic thinking.

A person with a sense is someone who can always say, "So what?" and create a meaningful narrative. They have the ability to abstract their thinking and capture the essence of any specific situation. They can hold that logic in their mind and retrieve it in any given context. This is what constitutes a sense in leadership and management.

Sense is characterized by the oscillation between the concrete and the abstract, with a wide range, high frequency, and fast speed. It's about being able to navigate between the details and the big picture seamlessly, adapting to different situations and understanding the underlying patterns that connect them.

So, what do these two seemingly unrelated concepts of rest and sense have in common? It all boils down to the ability to disconnect from the self-worth associated with productivity and achievements. Rest, as mentioned earlier, is about not defining ourselves by what we produce. Similarly, sense requires us to detach our self-worth from the outcomes of our strategies and instead focus on the process of understanding and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of business.

In a world that constantly demands our attention and pushes us to always be doing something, it's important to find moments of rest and allow our minds to wander aimlessly. These moments of rest provide the much-needed space for our sense to develop and flourish. It's in these moments that we can detach ourselves from the pressures of society and truly understand the essence of who we are and what truly matters.

In conclusion, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace rest: Make time for moments of rest and allow your mind to wander. Disconnect from the constant need to be productive and find solace in the beauty of simply existing.

2. Develop your sense: Cultivate your ability to abstract and understand the bigger picture. Practice capturing the essence of different situations and hold that logic in your mind. This will enhance your strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.

3. Disconnect self-worth from outcomes: Instead of defining your self-worth by what you achieve, focus on the process and the journey. Understand that your value lies in the effort you put in and the lessons you learn along the way, rather than the end result.

By incorporating these practices into your life, you can find a balance between rest and sense, allowing you to navigate the complexities of life and business with clarity and purpose.