When You Choose

There’s a list of things that you’re going to do today. Cook dinner, wash the dishes, fold the laundry, feed the cat. Get through the day. Make sure the trains run on time.

But that’s not how you’re going to spend all your time today. You’ll choose how you spend the rest. Maybe you’ll read a book. Maybe you’ll watch TV. Maybe you’ll jog. Maybe you’ll work on a side project. Maybe you’ll learn C#. Maybe you’ll get some extra sleep. Et cetera.

Your options are vast. Some are better than others. But “better” is subjective. You choose.

But, of course, I have opinions:

When you choose, look for effectiveness. What can you spend your time on that will actually affect the world in a positive way?

When you choose, look for leverage. What can you spend a little bit of time on that you’ll see large benefits from?

When you choose, look at the long term. What can you spend your time on today that will make your life better in a day, a month, a year, five years?

When you choose, look at the day-to-day, from the outside. What could you spend your time on today that would make life better every day from here on out?

Also: When you don’t overtly choose, when you don’t consciously choose, that’s still a choice. And probably one you’ll regret.