In a new book, an entrepreneur argues that ‘wasting time on purpose’ can be a fuel for creativity

“I don’t have time.” “You need to work 100 hours a week.” “Hustle, bro.”

We’ve all heard it. Welcome to the cult of busyness. Being “busy” is the new cocaine. You feel superior just because you’re drowning in deadlines and dopamine. I have been high on that drug for years. But I have finally learnt that hard work works if you’re lifting bricks. Not if you’re building breakthroughs.

Newton discovered gravity while chilling under a tree. Archimedes had his Eureka moment in a bathtub. JK Rowling on a delayed train. Not in meetings, and definitely not in hustle porn reels. Because when you stop “doing”, your subconscious starts creating.

But these days, even our toilet breaks are a date with our beloved mobile phone. Scroll. Swipe. Shit. Repeat. Doing nothing is a forgotten art. And it’s killing your creativity. Stillness is your brain’s VIP lounge. Ideas only check in when the noise checks out. And no, I’m not saying ditch the hustle. But hustle without clarity is just running in circles. Stillness gives it direction.

Still not convinced? Let’s ask the bald dude with rockets and next-day returns: Jeff Bezos. He says, “I like to putter.” Translation: I waste time – on purpose. Because he only needs...

Read more