Fuck trying to look busy—real work happens in silence.
The truth is, being productive today looks nothing like it used to.
In the old world, “productive” meant cranking out widgets or logging hours on a factory line. You had to look busy.
Not anymore.
For knowledge workers—designers, strategists, writers, programmers, even managers—real productivity often looks suspiciously like doing nothing.
Sitting with your eyes closed, thinking. Staring out the window, letting ideas collide in your head. Walking around aimlessly to spark a breakthrough in that communications strategy.
This “lazy-looking” time is where the real magic happens.
Too many workplaces don’t get this. They expect knowledge workers to look busy. To constantly click, type, and fiddle with spreadsheets.
They measure “time at keyboard” instead of “quality of ideas.”
But the best insights don’t show up when you’re hammering at the keys. They show up in those moments when you dare to look lazy—when you give your mind the space it needs to wander, explore, and create connections.
If you’re a knowledge worker, claim this space. Fight for it. Push back against the old narrative that says productivity requires constant activity.
Because in today’s world, the best work often comes not when you’re visibly “doing something,” but when you’re giving yourself permission to do what looks like nothing at all.
Sometimes, looking lazy is the fastest way to brilliant results. In the end, it’s not about how busy you look—it’s about what you actually produce.
Cheers,
Phil
---
P.S.: Developing the ability to use your "lazy" time for creative and intellectual breakthroughs requires the right ideas, tools and resources.
Mosaic gives you precisely that.
It's a unique digital product containing my entire library of mental models, startup insights, management learnings, personal growth reflections, and my complete book, podcast and video list.
Get it now at 50% off.
Learn More About Mosaic →
