Is productivity a lie?

[CroMagna]

It seems that many poor people of the world are basically happy people. For example 90% of Amish people are happy. Many poor and black Latinos and Haitians are apparently happy. It makes productivity pointless! Shouldn't we just "be" and that's it? Why are we still pursuing happiness?

[JaredR]

Who is more productive than the Amish? I am happiest when I am being productive and working hard.

[nocturne]

The amish are not exactly poor; they seem to have all their needs met (food water shelter, etc).

You bring up a good point; many asian philosophies warn against desire, trying or struggling.

It doesn't neccessary LITERALLY mean don't try to pursue hapiness; rather don't try so hard that the greed and emotions bear down on you.

For example; poor people would be happier if they had nice toilets, clean water, etc. But beyond your needs you have greed; is that BMW really going to make you happier than a toyota?

To be honest, a little bit. But if you constantly stress over status and money, then your riches come at a cost.

So I would say productivity is NOT a lie; but you need to be careful how you go about it. If you are too extreme and think you just need to "be with the flow"; you end up doing nothing. The taj mahal would not be built; beethoven would never have written symphonies, nirvana would never unplug, steve would woo women into polyamourous relationships and play video games all day and not write any articles (joking steve), shakespeare would just smoke a joint and not write; etc, etc.

If you are too extreme and think you need to be perfect, you end up stressing yourself to death and dying of cancer, using steroids, etc.

Elvis succeeded cause he was hard working and talented; Its ok to want to succeed greatly, but I doubt his excess did him any good.

[Brutha]

For example 90% of Amish people are happy.

How do you know?

[QuestForBalance]

The problem isn't productivity, but consumerism. Working hard can be very rewarding, but if you are working hard at something you don't enjoy just to get money to buy stuff you don't really need... THAT can lead you down the path to misery.

[CroMagna]

Originally Posted by Brutha

How do you know?

ABC's John Stossel

[Keith]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

It seems that many poor people of the world are basically happy people. For example 90% of Amish people are happy. Many poor and black Latinos and Haitians are apparently happy. It makes productivity pointless! Shouldn't we just "be" and that's it? Why are we still pursuing happiness?

I'm not sure what you mean by "productivity". To me, the word means "effectiveness". For example, if you want to lose weight, then it's productive to maintain a healthy diet, plenty of sleep and an exercise habit.

You seem to be talking about pursuing greater success specifically through improved finances. I agree that, once you reach the point of having your basic needs met, you won't find enduring happiness by getting more stuff.

OTOH, achieving goals is a path to satisfaction, and you have to be productive to achieve that.

[ragtag]

In a book I read, I think it was "Stumbling on Happiness" he quotes a study saying that rich people were neither more nor less happy than average people. Poor people on the other hand were less happy. So having a villa and three cars, doesn't make you any more happy than just having a normal flat and a nice bicycle.

It makes sense though. If you have to worry about every penny, and how you're going to pay next months rent or get enough money to buy food. It's not particularly fun. I've tried it for a couple of months.

On the other hand, I don't see the direct connection between productivity and happiness. Being productive, doesn't automatically make you happy. Having achieved something important through productivity surely can make you happy, but you can also be an extremely productive and be miserable, like a working drone at some company.

Once I lived in a tent for two months. I began each day by going swimming in the ocean and eating breakfast on nearby cliffs. Afterwards I would go into town to work. It was a really nice time, even though I was living on an extremely low budget.

To me I find happiness comes from working on fulfilling projects, something that's meaningful to me and feels significant. And from simplicity and focus.

[TiffyLove]

I don't think productivity is the proper word.

Maybe material things don't make us happy. Having purpose is what does. Maybe the poor feel a higher sense of purpose or connection to the source because they are not distracted by pursuing material things.

However I must say I do not believe that the pursuit of material things such a house, etc.. is wrong. I believe its our pursuit of these things that can cause some to seek spirituality.

When material things become our number 1 motive that is when it is blocking us but we live in an abundant universe and we are all divine beings and deserve everything we desire.