Don’t just Do Something

Sometimes doing nothing is the best option.

We live in a modern world which is action focused. We have targets and goals, task lists and action plans. Everyone has a change agenda. We have to be busy doing something if we want to move forward.

But sometimes the best way to move forward, is to sit still.

The announcement over the tannoy makes me smile “we have a problem with one of our engines and we need to power everything down“.

Fortunately we are on the train rather than the plane. “It may get a little warm without the air-conditioning, so feel free to step onto the platform“.

I joke with the people around me “switch it off, and switch it on should fix it”.

I’d just never heard it done with a whole train.

We are at St Pancras, waiting to go north. I am heading to Loughborough after a long day in London. We try to find out how long the delay might be, but the people in charge of the food trolley don’t seem to know.

Another announcement. “There is an alternative train going to Nottingham on platform 4, leaving in 10 minutes. Your tickets will be valid on that train.” Furtive Googling establishes that it will be stopping at Loughborough.

What would you do? Run for Plan B or do nothing? Stick or twist? Twisting would mean packing up our bags, dashing across the platforms and jamming in with two train loads of passengers, hoping to find a seat or (in my experience) a bit of space on the floor?

On the other hand we could stay still – with an unpredictable delay and with the risk our train could be cancelled.

I learned a long time ago that swapping queues in the supermarket and taking circuitous diversions to avoid heavy traffic on the motorway rarely work. My instinct is to stay put.

Don’t just do something, sit there.

The woman sitting next to me is flustered and decides to twist. I wish her luck. 80% of the passengers leave their seats, dash off in hope, in search of a better option. I’m surprised. It is 830pm, we are all going home; nobody is going to be late for a meeting.

One other woman in the whole carriage keeps me company. I sit still. Do nothing. I am passive, inactive, static, docile, relaxed.

Five minutes later, the lights come on, the air con. shudders into life and my train starts to move. We are on our way. Plan A will get me there quicker, and in more comfort, than plan B.

The food trolley rattles through the almost empty carriage. We laugh. We have an awful lot of sandwiches and cake to get through.

Stick to your guns. Keep calm. Avoid the temptation just do something. Simply sitting there and staying on course, whilst the world continues to spin, may just be the best option.

I stuff myself and my bag with free food off the trolley, enjoy a quiet and peaceful journey home and even get £7.50 back for the short delay.

Nice result.