Seriousness is not like, I'm working very seriously, or I'm taking my work seriously, that can be a good thing. That means working diligently, working with focus, that would be being serious or taking your work seriously. But here, I mean, getting serious and serious has another definition, which means heavy, or there's also the idea of threat of penalty. And that's why you do something.
So there's a threat that if you don't do it, there'll be a punishment. And that feeling can make you heavy because if you don't do it you're going to get punished. Or if you don't make your goal, your boss is going to get mad at you. Or there's always this punishment that's overlying, if you don't make enough money, you're going to be out on the streets. So you've got to go to work, and you get all heavy.
That heaviness is a direct block to any forward production, or any creativity whatsoever you are trying to create. You are putting on yourself, this counterforce, it's actually forces from other people that you take on because you're worried of their punishment. So you take it on yourself, and you get heavy about it.
When you're heavy like that, you can't look up, you can't focus and you can't create. And only in that space, can you make forward progress. Nobody creates when they are under punishment. Or if there's a gun to their head, they're not going to be creating. This is actually a lesson that my dad spoke about and he used that example as well. He said, when there's a gun to your head, you're not thinking about starting a new business at that time. You're so heavy and serious.
Whatever you're busy with, don't get heavy and serious. Step back. Take a look at how you can rather be creative about it. And by being creative, you will come up with solutions and make forward progress. And somehow things will come to you.
Don't get heavy. Don't get too serious. Enjoy it. Play the game of life. Just create. And you'll see it'll help you out.
Gal Ezra,
Managing Director,
Empower Funding