What is the value of pleasure?

Our culture trains us to see pleasure as a bonus part of life.  Something we get only if we suffer enough to earn it.

But what if delaying pleasure is what keeps us from getting things done?

I had a powerful experience of this when I started my company, Wild Wiggle.

It was a big project:  launching WW in just a few weeks, while at a training program for most of the time.  Far too much to do, too little time.

I scheduled my days, hour by hour.  Cancelled all activities that didn’t contribute directly to my goal.  And Focused.

It worked great for several days, but then I tanked. Suddenly I couldn’t produce.  I would sit in front of my computer, trying to write the next article, but pumping out gibberish.   It seemed like I couldn’t afford to leave my computer, because I had so much to do.  And if I enjoyed a few hours away, I thought I would suffer even more when I got back.

But after 2 days of slow productivity, something had to change, and I went to the spa.  Sat in the whirlpool, the sauna, the steamroom.  Got a massage.  Came back happy.  And in 45 minutes, I finished what I had been wrestling with for 2 days. What a great reminder of how much pleasure adds to productivity, and that it’s a myth that pleasure is a waste of time!

Tags: Tangible Value of Pleasure //