Helpful explanation to a potent concept. I most often experience this inadvertently when I “give up” on something (usually taking a break) only to then have the success I sought. Thanks.
Exactly right. Sometimes to pause and separation lead to new insights and solutions. I’ve learned to be OK setting something down and coming back. It’s funny when the effort becomes OBE when you pause and you realize it was never really that big of a deal.
Excellent collab. This concept applies so well to so many spaces. I find, at least in my anecdotal experiences, that the reverse effort effect is most profound after initial focused and more intense effort. Those early failures, lessons, and growth to achieve relative competency allows for the foundation to bring in other skills/perspectives without the effort dial remaining at a 10.
Awesome and I agree. I think that’s the core point is that it’s not about doing nothing while you’re already doing nothing. It’s about stepping back and slowing down after you’ve been executing iwth intence focus and effort and not getting anywhere. I think it requires that effort to make it work because you know what isn’t working.
I just wish to comment that the idea behind Wu Wei isn't to not try or do anything. It is knowing when and how to apply the effort. I agree with you often times trying and forcing can often times lead to terrible results. Sometimes there is just shit bad luck. To me the wisdom is if you don't try, just do. Do what YOU wish to do then why would you have regrets? Your likelihood for success is greater no? The risk is your a genius out of your time who won't be acknowledged or appreciated until it's too late or your even dead. Jesus had much more impact after his life than during it, right? But still highly successful as far as impact. Wonderful and well written piece. Thanks for sharing.
Agree with that clarification on Wu Wei. It's stepping back from forcing and figuring out the path of flow. Sometimes to find that we do just have to stop trying. I'm dealing with this right now at work where a team is trying to move so fast that they can't even move forward.
This reminds me of hearing people’s “testimony” from a faith perspective. There’s countless stories of people trying ”their way”, just to experience failure and hardship. But according to the testimony archetype, once they let go and “gave it to God”, things started changing for the better. Same with the phrase, “Jesus, take the wheel.”
I liked the physiology explanation in the article. Crazy how we are both governed by our hormones, and yet have the power (in some cases) to shift consciousness, and the hormones adjust. Let’s do a collaboration on the reticular activating system (RAS). I wish everyone knew about that and how it shapes our reality.
This reminds me of the epitaph on Charles Bukowski’s tombstone: “Don’t Try.”
Nice.
Helpful explanation to a potent concept. I most often experience this inadvertently when I “give up” on something (usually taking a break) only to then have the success I sought. Thanks.
Exactly right. Sometimes to pause and separation lead to new insights and solutions. I’ve learned to be OK setting something down and coming back. It’s funny when the effort becomes OBE when you pause and you realize it was never really that big of a deal.
Excellent collab. This concept applies so well to so many spaces. I find, at least in my anecdotal experiences, that the reverse effort effect is most profound after initial focused and more intense effort. Those early failures, lessons, and growth to achieve relative competency allows for the foundation to bring in other skills/perspectives without the effort dial remaining at a 10.
Thanks again guys. Good stuff
Awesome and I agree. I think that’s the core point is that it’s not about doing nothing while you’re already doing nothing. It’s about stepping back and slowing down after you’ve been executing iwth intence focus and effort and not getting anywhere. I think it requires that effort to make it work because you know what isn’t working.
❤️👊🏻
I just wish to comment that the idea behind Wu Wei isn't to not try or do anything. It is knowing when and how to apply the effort. I agree with you often times trying and forcing can often times lead to terrible results. Sometimes there is just shit bad luck. To me the wisdom is if you don't try, just do. Do what YOU wish to do then why would you have regrets? Your likelihood for success is greater no? The risk is your a genius out of your time who won't be acknowledged or appreciated until it's too late or your even dead. Jesus had much more impact after his life than during it, right? But still highly successful as far as impact. Wonderful and well written piece. Thanks for sharing.
Agree with that clarification on Wu Wei. It's stepping back from forcing and figuring out the path of flow. Sometimes to find that we do just have to stop trying. I'm dealing with this right now at work where a team is trying to move so fast that they can't even move forward.
Great article, Michael. Learning a lot from your writings. If you recommend any other authors, please share. Thank you!
The list at the bottom of the essay has some pretty good ones. Depends on your angle but check them out first.
Will do. I’m finding the other authors you collab with.
This reminds me of hearing people’s “testimony” from a faith perspective. There’s countless stories of people trying ”their way”, just to experience failure and hardship. But according to the testimony archetype, once they let go and “gave it to God”, things started changing for the better. Same with the phrase, “Jesus, take the wheel.”
I liked the physiology explanation in the article. Crazy how we are both governed by our hormones, and yet have the power (in some cases) to shift consciousness, and the hormones adjust. Let’s do a collaboration on the reticular activating system (RAS). I wish everyone knew about that and how it shapes our reality.
I hadn't thought of the testimony angle. That's a great point because, was it God or was it psychology?
Very insightful. I actually need to apply this to my work next week. I've been stymied so I should probably stop pushing and see what happens.
I’d love to hear how it works for you!