Episode Details

You aren’t going to get today back.

I know that can sound like the beginning of an episode about making every minute count. That’s not where I’m going with this. I don’t think every minute needs to be productive. I guess what this is about is how we decide what counts.

For many of us, work always counts but none of us work all the time. What else counts? What else matters. I think today it’s worth paying attention to how we decide what matters, and how we honor that.

When I’m busy, I can spend the whole day thinking about what comes next. I rush through one task because I’m already thinking about the next three. Then, when I finally sit down to rest, I usually feel like I should be doing something else. I’ve managed to be busy all day and it feels good that I got through my list.

But how much is enough? Depending on your job, your lifestyle, there is ALWAYS going to be something else to be done. The to-do list is never really finished. So how do we decide when to stop, or when taking a break is the right thing to do?

I’m trying something different and making an effort to be really intentional. If I’m working, I want to give that work my attention. And if I’m resting, I want to actually let myself rest. I want to enjoy a few minutes of doing nothing without mentally turning it into time I’ve wasted.

Rest is a way to spend a day well. So is laughter, a good conversation, or taking your time over lunch or reading a good book.

What would make today feel well spent to you? Choose one thing and give yourself permission to be fully there for it.