Time for the things you love.. where is it?
I would venture to guess that for most people.. “finding the time” is a common challenge. It is for me.
Having my own business has put me in a position where I feel like I need to work or be productive 24/7.. especially in this stage where I don’t feel I have much success and haven’t achieved the goals I’ve set for myself. This makes it super difficult to find any time to do the “fun” stuff or the “rewarding” stuff. So..
I want to further explore a concept I’ve written about a bit before…
Creating the time rather than finding it -
This may seem like a simple semantic distinction but I’ve found that framing it this way can result in the behavioral changes I seek.
Note: My work tends to blend into my leisure and hobbies so, for the sake of this post, we will define “work” as anything you must do that you don’t want to do or isn’t meaningful to you. All the other stuff… the good stuff.. is what we need to make time for.
I’m thinking of scenarios when I’m working and then am suddenly struck with creative inspiration or the nudge to do something other than work..
For example.. I was recently just mid work session when my little brother comes home with a new guitar and wanted to jam out and learn a song. Realizing that these are the experiences I enjoy most, I just stopped working and spent a couple hours vibing and playing music.
1 point for Dan.. but…
As you might guess, I didn’t get done what I had planned to and supposedly needed to…
This brings me to the meat and potatoes of what I want to explore..
Magic?
Somehow, I always end up getting done what I need to get done. Even if it doesn’t get done “in time” it still gets done, nothing breaks, no one dies, life goes on, and it’s fine. Sometimes I even find that, hmmmm, that didn’t actually need to get done..
What is happening here?
I think a major factor is that productivity and efficiency seem to shrink or grow in proportion to the box you put them in.
This is the principle behind Elon Musk’s advice to set unreasonably short deadlines. If something is going to take six months, set a three month deadline, you might miss it but you will most likely accomplish it in less time than you otherwise would have.
In retrospect, I don’t take advantage of this phenomenon enough.
I remember my older brother always saying something like “I always figure it out. I don’t know how but I always find a way”. I feel this too..
For me at least, things seem to go this way if you let them and trust that they will, and also give them an honest full send..
To boil it down, the path here seems to be..
Just take the time for what I call “the (good) stuff of life”… the things you will be glad you did when you are on your deathbed. The things that pay dividends when you remember them. Sacrifice the mundane things. No one dies wishing they would have spent a couple extra hours at the office or doing something they didn’t even want to do.
You can’t force a lot of things but some..you can. I’m finding that time for the good stuff is (usually) one.
I’ll be continuing to practice this and just let and make the time for the things I love and the moments I truly value.
To create time is to dare to let go, to say no to what does not serve your soul.
It is to trust that the world will not crumble if you step back from its demands, to find that in doing less, you actually live more.
Time is not given; it is claimed by the courageous act of aligning your days with what makes your heart beat strongest.
If you’d like to read more on this topic, check out a previous post I’ve done.
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Upcoming
new song “who am I” dropping sept 27th eeeeeeee (:
What I’m Watching
here comes the rings of power season finale.. plz don’t let me down.
What I’m Listening to
Some banger Thai Music! (thanks for the rec, Spotify)
Strike Tracker
Sitting on the couch and planning my day.. deciding to turn on some piano music and the feeling the whole atmosphere and vibe TOTALLY change. I somehow always need little reminders of how much I love music and how powerful it is.
Learning what an orrery is and wanting one BAD
The absolute calmness and serenity as I float on my back on the rooftop pool looking at the sky after a sauna session and just vibe.
Photo Dump
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