The Essence of Non-Attachment

In recent interview I read, one of my favourite actors, Sir Anthony Hopkins was asked on what advice he would give to you actors. This is how he answered:

The trick of life is to not care too much. Care a little bit but not too much. Ask nothing and expect nothing.

I thought that summed up my personal philosophy about work quite well too. One may ask: doesn't that sound like a rather callous attitude towards things? Shouldn't we pour our hearts and souls into every undertaking and ensure that it is fruitful to us?

Let me give my take on this Hopkins Principle. Firstly, let's make it clear that by 'care a little bit but not too much', it doesn't mean that you are disinterested in your work or not giving your best. That's simply not being involved in life and his statement doesn't imply that. On the contrary, the greater challenge in life is being involved a hundred and one percent and yet, not having the arrogance to think that you have complete control over the outcome.

We often get emotionally attached to a project that we've put in a lot of hardwork into. We crave praise and recognition. To not expect anything in return, is a massive challenge to anyone. Imagine, burning the midnight oil for a project and your boss did not even acknowledge it or worse still, attributing it to someone else! How would you handle that kind of situation?

Let me put it this way: if you start off an undertaking expecting a specific monetary reward, recognition or praise from a particular audience, then you are not looking at the full picture. The outcome of any work definitely has many effects and consequences. You are always rewarded for your hardwork. Often you just do not see it.

Ask yourself one question: Have you learned anything from the project? If it is real project, most definitely. You've had an opportunity to perfect your craft. Are you a better performer compared to who you were before the project? If the answer is yes--there, you already have your biggest reward.

'Caring a little bit' means caring for the right thing. Focus on something that to you is a sure thing or you would not even consider embarking on the project. Will you get to learn anything from it? If the answer is no, it usually means that you have not raised the bar for yourself. There's always something higher you can achieve, personal goals that you can target for every project. It need not even be known to others. You set it yourself and you strive to achieve them as a by-product of what you do.

What about actual rewards and recognition? Isn't that part of success?

Yes, but let that be flexible because not everything is under your control. Recognition comes in many forms. Good work will always be recognized, if not by your superiors, by your peers and customers. And that, I consider a very good investment, which will bear you even bigger fruits in future. If you don't expect a specific external outcome and you pour in everything that you've got towards the goal that you've set, you would have accomplished your job very well. You've already walked away with your reward: you are a better person. The rest is bonus.

Life becomes very rewarding when you've learned to do things without expecting anything in return. The opportunity to work is already its reward. You have a role to play and in exercising that role, you've benefited yourself through its experience. I shall not repeat my "work as workout" philosophy again but you can read it up here.

"Ask nothing and expect nothing". But put everything into whatever you do. That's the essence of non-attachment.