Is Anything A Waste Of Time?
Laying in bed for a few extra hours on a day off. Ending a friendship that you had for a while. Going on a date but it doesn't end well...
These are examples of situations that took time out of our day, weeks and possibly years. We may have felt as though that moment could have been used for something else. But who determines that?
This is a pressure we put on ourselves to be better and to work harder. Although it turns into an unhealthy feeling and stress load. This can be seen in any day to day goals: chores, working out and getting out of bed. Where if we decide to relax, we have a feeling of wasting time. This situation is most likely your brain telling you, it needs a break... but that's another subject. In this case, the weight on our shoulders can be transformed into motivation. When we're done resting, we will want to accomplish the task ten times more than before.
Without this type of pressure, would you be motivated?
This is the same idea as making a bigger decision regarding a move, career or life choice. Because it isn't always a decision that seems beneficial at the time. Maybe your goal is to live in Hawaii but you get an opportunity to live somewhere else. Or you have a goal to work as a manager for your favorite company but instead you take a job a few steps down from that. These decisions are steps, to your goal. They are not time wasted.
It makes me think of my senior year of high school, where I had to decide if wanted to apply to post secondary school or if I wanted to take a gap year. I decided to take a year off school to work. That year turned into five years. I could have seen this time as a waste. But I learnt a lot and obtained work experience. It motivated me to find work that I enjoyed and helped me figure out my preferences. At the time it was a hard decision to make but I don't regret it, because it got me to where I am now. After those years off, I've decided to take online courses.
There's taking a break and then there's procrastinating. I'm sure we all know the term because it typically looks like "I'll take out the trash later" or "I'll put my laundry in a pile and fold it in the morning". As we know, these typically turn into days of postponing this task. The five minutes it could've taken to complete the task turned into a few days. I can see why it's portrayed as lost time. A good solution for this is giving ourselves time and a schedule. This creates balance and structure when necessary.
Are you controlling your time or is your time controlling you ?
We cause our own procrastination, this means our time lies in no other hands but our own. As a kid, doing the dishes gave time on the iPad. In our job, we work a certain amount of time and we may get a raise. Think of it as our own carrot, offer an advantage to complete the required action. When we need to workout on Monday but rather stay in bed, we can give ourselves something to look forward to after doing it. A show. A snack. A hangout with friends. A relaxing bath.
I relate this to the course I started in January, my homework had a due date for May 16th and I told myself the due date I give myself is May 12th. This frees up my weekend, to hangout with my friends and relax. I created my own schedule and balance.
Now have you created your own?
Have you ever been in the shower and an idea popped in your head? Or maybe you're laying in bed before falling asleep and your head is running at full speed with new concepts? It could be regarding work an activity or a trip. Your excitement builds up because you can't wait to try it. Sky diving... a dance class... a 3D model... a coding project. You take multiple days to plan it and execute it. To realize it isn't as grand as you thought. You think to yourself "all that time I just wasted on this new idea".
Our ideas don't always work but if we don't try how will we know ?
I've always been interested in art, creative projects and painting. In high school I took art as an elective and we explored all types of artistic subjects. I realized drawing and realism are not types I enjoy to creating. On the other hand, I discovered pottery, watercolor and mandalas. What I learned is "you win some, you lose some". In other words, I found out my likes and dislikes by taking the course and the time was not lost.
There are also, multiple art projects I have tried and they have not worked. I keep trying and trying. This arm painting for example, started off as something else but It didn't work. I changed it to something I knew I could paint, a galaxy.
We are scared of failure. Which is normal. Trying, failing and learning can be uncomfortable. Roller skating for the first time and falling. Learning to break dance but can't seem to get the move down pat. Serving the volleyball but it doesn't get to the other side of the net. Missing the three-pointer after trying and trying. Does this mean we give up? We try to forget it happened? We don't even bother trying in the first place?
It might take ten, twenty, fifty times but at least you tried.
I've done countless workouts without seeing any progress but I tell myself I took a step and tried. Next time, I will do it again. Maybe I need to make minor adjustments. My form. My eating habits. My reps. My weights. My exercises. Because if I keep making the same mistake, that's on me. If I find a way to fix it, I'm learning. At the end of the day: YOU make that change. YOU take the time and effort for YOUR life.
From the moment we were born, to now. We have lived countless memories. Our first time: riding a bike, talking, running and going to the park. To elementary school, field trips, camps, vacations and road trips. To high school, graduation, first job, college, university and work experiences. All the way to, friendships, relationships, family. What a journey it's been...
Let's take relationships as an example. A romantic or friend relationship. We've all had good and bad ones. Now, let's think of bad one we've had. Our mind always jumps to one in particular when we think "bad relationship".
Have we caught ourselves saying "I can never get that time back" or "what a waste". All valid thoughts.
But was there a lesson there? Did you learn something about yourself?
Friends have told me I'm too honest and our friendship ended over multiple reasons but that being one of them. In the moment it hurt and it was hard for me to realize what the lesson was. It taught me that I am honest, I do speak my mind and it can be a lot. But it makes me who I am. It's something I am proud of. The right people will appreciate my honesty and like me for who I am. The more I've moved past it, the more I look for people that are similar and friends who respect my personality.
Last thing, be sure with your decisions and time will not be wasted. If you help someone and nothing comes from it, tell yourself you did a good thing. If you try an activity you don't enjoy, now you know it's not for you. If you end a bad relationship, you will grow stronger from it. Because at the end of the day, you have control on your life.
I will finish this blog with a question to you... do YOU think time is ever wasted ?
Josée™
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