Althouse: "Someone told me some secrets early on about living. You have to remind yourself that you can do the very best you can when you’re very, very relaxed."

March 8, 2015

"Someone told me some secrets early on about living. You have to remind yourself that you can do the very best you can when you’re very, very relaxed."

"No matter what it is, no matter what your job is, the more relaxed you are, the better you are. That’s sort of why I got into acting. I realized that the more fun I had, the better I did it, and I thought, Well, that’s a job I can be proud of. I’d be proud to have that job, if I had to go to work and say, ‘No matter what my condition or what my mood is, no matter how I feel about what’s going on in my life, if I can relax myself and enjoy what I’m doing and have fun with it, then I can do my job really well.’ And it’s changed my life, learning that. And it’s made me better at what I do. I’m not the greatest or anything. But I really enjoy what I do."

A quote from Bill Murray, used to compose the 6th of 7 rules for "Living a Bill Murray Life," which Instapundit linked to this morning. The whole thing is very entertaining, but I found that the most intriguing rule. I'm not sure I trust that rule. Not for every job anyway. From my perspective, for example, it's a great rule for blogging, but it's close to unethical for teaching, depending on your idea of fun.

18 comments:

I Have Misplaced My Pants said...: I think he's talking about flow.

We're always relaxed (unless we get a wave of agitation that comes with creative energy and excitement) when we're doing what we like, what we get lost in it, when we know we understand it and are reasonably good at it. You know, an "I've got this" feeling.

As opposed to other work that we don't like, are unsure whether we can handle, etc. That's the opposite of relaxed.; 3/8/15, 12:06 PM
rehajm said...: Someone told me some secrets early on about living. You have to remind yourself that you can do the very best you can when you're very, very relaxed.

Someone? Sounds like he's remembering advice from Ty Webb.

Be the ball, Danny; 3/8/15, 12:15 PM
Ann Althouse said...: But it's not like flow, not as he's describing it. The relaxation doesn't, in his telling, come from practiced ability to do the work. He's saying go into relaxation mode and that will cause your work to be better. It's the reverse causation.

He may be misperceiving the direction of the causality.

If so, I agree with what he's observing, but he's not giving good advice.

You wouldn't advise a surgeon to relax and have fun with it.; 3/8/15, 12:16 PM
traditionalguy said...: Good advice for the autistic.; 3/8/15, 12:46 PM
Peder said...: "You wouldn't advise a surgeon to relax and have fun with it." This would also be terrible advice for a soldier in combat.

But that doesn't really invalidate it. Different people need different motivations to really get their best work done. Some need challenge, some need relaxation. Which may mean that this isn't universal advice but still damn good stuff for the people for whom it will work.

As you say, good professor, this works well for blogging advice but not for teaching. And yet, you do both most every day.; 3/8/15, 1:00 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: I love Bill Murray, but the Laslo Life works for me.

I am Laslo.; 3/8/15, 1:05 PM
Anonymous said...: I adopted this rule many years ago when I started working as an officer.

When a situation gets tense, its natural for the human body to tense up and get ready for action. But consciously or unconsciously, we notice this and then a fight ensues.

I've learned that if I stay relaxed, and keep myself from getting overly excited, it tends to calm the situation. And its kept myself, my fellow officers, innocent bystanders, and criminals safe through the years.

I don't know that it works in every job, but its worked wonders for mine.; 3/8/15, 1:07 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: The Seven Secrets of living the Bill Mumy Life.

1. Visit the Twilight Zone.

2. Turn down the role of Eddie Munster.

3. Work with a Genie AND a Witch.

4. Work with a Robot that sensibly alerts you to DANGER.

5. Be embraced by Brigitte Bardot. When she was hot.

6. Tour with Shaun Cassidy.

7. Write a song as great as "Fish Heads".

I am Laslo.; 3/8/15, 1:15 PM
David said...: There's a difference between "relaxed" and "lax." I know I have gotten into trouble confusing the two. It's hard to distinguish sometimes.; 3/8/15, 1:16 PM
Sebastian said...: "if I can relax myself and enjoy what I’m doing and have fun with it, then I can do my job really well."

Like any rule, it might not work for everyone, all the time. It's neither necessary nor sufficient for good teaching, sure But why "close to unethical"?

I would hope even UW law professors don't go into their classes tense and joyless and not intent on having fun with their subjects and students.

Teaching and acting have a lot in common, anyway.; 3/8/15, 1:22 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: The Seven Secrets of living the Anne Murray Life.

1. Be Canadian.

2. Be the first Canadian female solo singer to reach No. 1 on the U.S. charts.

3. Be the first woman and the first Canadian to win "Album of the Year" at the 1984 Country Music Association Awards.

4. Perform "O Canada" at the first American League baseball game played in Canada on April 7, 1977,

5. Be the first woman to score a hole-in-one on the 108-yard, par 3, 17th hole at the Kaluhyat Golf Club. While also being Canadian.

6. Have a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto.

7. Continue being Canadian.

I am Laslo.; 3/8/15, 1:32 PM
Roughcoat said...: I've read where people who know him well say he's angry and depressed.; 3/8/15, 1:32 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: I am Whimsical Laslo.; 3/8/15, 1:33 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: The Two Secrets of living the F. Murray Abraham Life.

1. Win an Oscar for playing Salieri in "Amadeus"

2. Be recognized in other films as 'that guy who played Salieri in "Amadeus"'.

I am Laslo.; 3/8/15, 1:43 PM
Michael K said...: "I think he's talking about flow."

As long as it's not blow.

As a surgeon, I find that relaxation is important. In the early years it was impossible as you were learning. One risk is that you get relaxed and lower your attention level. They say there are no old bold pilots and surgery is a bit like flying. Mental check lists.

Things you always do.

People in operating rooms talk with their eyes. everyone is wearing a mask. It's interesting how much you cans say with eyes alone.

Also, you can be carrying on a conversation about something else until the tense part of the procedure. Then conversation stops and ten minutes later resumes as if no time had passed. I've seen that over and over.; 3/8/15, 1:47 PM
The Godfather said...: Fear is a great motivator.

But it should motivate you to prepare.

And as you grow confident that you are prepared, the fear lessens.

Then, for the actual performance, you can be relaxed.

But not TOO relaxed: The fear has to be there under the surface.

This has worked for me during 46 years of practicing law.; 3/8/15, 3:49 PM
John Lawton said...: Actually, it's more of a guideline than a rule...; 3/8/15, 3:57 PM
traditionalguy said...: I sense the Professor means that relaxing is the opposite of attention to details.; 3/8/15, 6:49 PM