#811 Want to Create a TON?

Have a Very (!) Big Waste Paper Basket

In our last +1, we talked about the super-creative plodder Peter Drucker and his response to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s invitation to participate in his research on Creativity.

We took a quick look at the little note he sent to Csikszentmihalyi.

Here’s the part we discussed:

I am greatly honored and flattered by your kind letter of February 14th—for I have admired you and your work for many years, and I have learned much from it. But, my dear Professor Csikszentmihalyi, I am afraid I have to disappoint you. I could not possibly answer your questions. I am told I am creative—I don’t know what that means. . . . I just keep on plodding. . . .

Here’s the second half we didn’t discuss yesterday:

. . . I hope you will not think me presumptuous or rude if I say that one of the secrets of productivity (in which I believe whereas I do not believe in creativity) is to have a VERY BIG waste paper basket to take care of ALL invitations such as yours—productivity in my experience consists of NOT doing anything that helps the work of other people but to spend all one’s time on the work the Good Lord has fitted one to do, and to do well.

Hah.

That’s Today’s +1.

Want to be a world-class plodder?

Have a very big waste paper basket.

Actually, make that a VERY BIG waste paper basket.

🗑️

🗑️🗑️

🗑️🗑️🗑️

Unlock this Heroic +1 (and over 1,000 more)!

Create your account to get more wisdom in less time. Personal development made simple so you can flourish in energy, work, and love. Today.

Sign Up Today