Wednesday, April 6, 2011

It Takes No Time

I have long studied and practiced time management. I even wrote a book on the topic.

One technique I use it to try to identify if something actually does take any time and often I have found they do not.

One of my favourite examples of this is working out. It takes me about 22 minutes to run 3 miles (although since I now use the 1% Solution I always run 3.03 miles now). I do this before I shower in the morning so it takes me no extra shower time. I figure the added energy I get through the day saves me 22 minutes of productivity. And working out also allows me to be rested well with 10 minutes less sleep. Hence I justify it as taking no time.

So I have been gardening a lot lately and was wondering if I could apply the same idea. I can garden for 40 minutes in the morning instead of working out and likely get more exercise (I know I can get sore from doing it). And I deliberately garden at a brisk pace to make it a workout.

So where can I get the other 18 minutes from this? I figure it takes double that to go to the grocery store. So I am saving trips once things are in full harvest. The only reason I would need to grocery shop weekly is for fresh fruits and vegetables.

And perhaps healthy organic home grown produce will keep me healthier so big savings on that. Although hayfever hurts my productivity.

Might just be a justification for doing something I enjoy (and doing things I like can also be good). And a small part of me knows life is not all about productivity.

At this time of year there is little harvest except for overwintered parsnips and leeks which are awesome. And chives and parsley are coming on and can be used in small amounts now. Spinach, lettuce and peas have been planted and the garden has never had this much preparation so is well dug.

1 comment:

  1. Ah... There was the glimmer of self awareness.

    "Might just be a justification for doing something I enjoy (and doing things I like can also be good). And a small part of me knows life is not all about productivity."

    Life isn't all about work and productivity, we just often think it is. Especially when we measure ourselves through our work life and business.

    Next time you garden or run, focus on doing it not because it is good for your health but because your truly, truly enjoy it. Focus on what you enjoy about the activity and purely enjoying it. Find the joy in it.

    The other thought that came to mind, although I hate to give you this fodder is that there are 168 hours in a week. Have you mapped out how you really spend you time?

    Oh, and go play with the dog. Just for the joy of it.

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