“Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted”
– Marthe Troly-Curtin.
I am sure I am not the first proponent, but I suggest we think about how we invest our time rather than how we waste or spend our time.
Yes, we do let time slip out of our hands each day through endless distractions—social media, online games, and endless scrolling on the internet. What I am suggesting is that we be deliberate about how we choose to engage with the time in our day.
Dedicate 10, 15, or even 45 minutes to activities that bring joy, enhance your life, or foster growth—even if they seem trivial to others.
Juggle a soccer ball, meditate, read a fantasy book, get out of the house for a walk, meet a friend for coffee, or do whatever fancies you, but do something that takes you out of your routine. Invest in yourself.
The hour talking to my coffee mate for this round of Coffee with John inspired this line of thought. Outside of social gatherings and the confinements of the yoga studio where we have known each other for a few years now, I didn’t know much about my coffee companion.
The hour investment has yielded many dividends. It has cultivated a friendship with a wonderful, generous person and introduced me to resources, musicians, restaurants, and more previously unknowns to me.
It is easy to say no to new experiences or dedicate a slot of our time to breaking our daily routines. My coffee mate could have said no to my invitation to be part of this project, but she took the risk of investing an hour away from her responsibilities and daily habits. I hope that investment has brought her as much of a return as it has for me.
My challenge is for you to find a dedicated time to invest in one activity that might enrich your life, from a small task you have been dreading to something you have always wanted to accomplish like learning photography.
You might need to overcome a fear, set aside time away from family, or make a monetary investment. Those challenges will seem insignificant as you break through, opening new horizons and realms of possibilities. If those challenges overwhelm you, I suggest you read Atomic Habits by James Clear. His whole principle is about taking small steps to accomplish your goals.
My challenge: learn how to juggle a soccer ball.
Coffee with John – November 5, 2024
Coffee With John 