Time management and what's REALLY important in life

[Celadon]

Do you think you spend your time on what's really important to you in life? Do you feel you have the right balance between the important stuff and the not important stuff?

 

I was thinking recently that I gravitate towards being serious because I'm afraid of wasting away my time on things that aren't so important to me in the long run (entertainment, fashion, etc.). But I wonder sometimes if all this seriousness has just left me kind of dull (to be honest...). Plus, I sometimes question myself when I DO enjoy certain things.

 

Background: As I was growing up, I was extremely idealistic. Like, I remember one Christmas I told my parents I didn't want any gifts. I wanted my gifts to go to poor people. And today, it kinda saddens me that some of my relatives watch TV almost non-stop during their free time.

 

I guess I'm asking about how you decide on the right balance for you -- the balance between important stuff and less important stuff. If you tend to enjoy more frivolous things, how you make sure you're doing things of significance? And if you're serious like me, how much time do you give to more trivial pursuits?

[greywolf]

 

I was thinking recently that I gravitate towards being serious because I'm afraid of wasting away my time on things that aren't so important to me in the long run (entertainment, fashion, etc.).

 

I tend to be the same way. I get restless doing stuff that I feel is just wasting my time. So I don't watch tv and other things like that. I always feel like I need to be doing something productive. But I also have huge huge issues with distractibility and time management, so I never get anything productive done anyway.

 

I think the right balance is one that makes you happy and fulfilled, but also realizing that everyone deserves breaks and some fun once in awhile.

[thejigsup]

Before my bf died, I was Ms. Serious. If it didn't have to do with my schooling or career, it took a back seat...waaay in the back. Now I am discovering t.v. shows that I love and I stop and smell the flowers more. I am still serious about school and work, I'm getting an A in Psychological Pathology and I am doing fine at work. But now, when I get home, I play a bit more.

[Celadon]

Thank you both. thejigisup, I'm sorry to hear about your bf. I relate to what you said about schooling and career. I have always been oriented that way. I was good at school, so that pretty much formed a large part of my identity. And I ENJOYED it as well. I liked getting things done. I liked accomplishing tasks, especially when they were well-defined. I suppose one could call that being one-dimensional, but it's wonderful feeling, that sense of purpose and progress.

 

But, I do realize that there is "purpose" in play as well, especially for mental health and for being able to relate to others, which is arguably more important in life than getting things done.

[katycloud]

Whether something is a trivial pursuit or something is completely subjective and up to the individual. Everybody has a different notion of what life is about and what is important. I used to be very idealistic as well, and I thought that in order to live a meaningful life you had to attempt to change the world. Now, I look at things on a much smaller scale because by making a difference to the little things in your own life and immediate surroundings, it will ultimately make the world a better place. To me, life is about being happy, looking after my loved ones, and providing a good education to my kids in my class. If 'trivial' things like entertainment make me happy, then I don't see a problem with spending time on them because the happier and less-stressed I am, the more productive I am

 

That being said I think sometimes I spend wayy to much time on work than I should, and I should probably spend MORE on family and happiness. But since my job is one where I have a direct influence on the lives of young children I can't really help it!

[Celadon]

Thanks, katycloud. I think it's challenging, when you have a job with a lot of influence, to draw the line between work and home life.

 

I've been practicing setting a handful of goals, or activities I'm looking forward to, each day. That way, I can put my energy into a few things, be efficient about the rest, and not end the day feeling like I don't know if I'm getting done what's important.