I could go off on some tangent involving a utopian fantasy, but I won't. I'm going to try to put together some ideas how we can change things now. If, like me, you are an office-worker-type, then push for flex-time, working from home, or 80-in-9. Our commute is what is the biggest waste of our time. When you are forced to commute, then use the time to your advantage. Read a book, knit some socks, plan your garden. Some tasks you can do while driving, like trying to improve your memory by memorizing license plates.
It's tough, but when the weekend comes around you need to either "play" or "work" anything you do to dilly-dally just eats time. I love watching sports, so I se the PVR to record the game, and do dishes, laundry etc. while the game starts. After 20 or 30 minutes I sit down and watch the game, fast forwarding through the commercials. In a regular football game, there is at least an hour of commercials. By halftime I'm close to live TV, so I'll pause the game and do another chore. Baseball is just as bad with a commercial after every damn batter these days.
Once the poop hits the fan we can work on a better economic model where we have more time for the ones we love, and the work that needs to get done around the house. For now, be productive in mind, body, and soul. Each facet of our humanity needs to be nurtured, or we stop being human.
5 comments:
The computer (intert) and the TV are the biggest time sucks known to man. It's amazing how much work I can get done when I turn of the computer. The tv keeps me company, and I use the dvr religously, so it's beeter, but man, there is just so much news and interesting things to read on line. I do work to build regular productivity as much as possible though. Good thoughts!
Like you, I think our commutes are the biggest time wasters we have. However, a close second is TV. How many families no longer sit down at a table (away from the TV) to have dinner? Instead, it is rush home, turn on the TV, fix dinner, eat dinner in front of the TV, watch TV til bedtime.
We need to get back in the habit of actually sitting down at tables and eating together.
Why wait for SHTF....
Weave the life you want to live. If you don't like working so many hours change it. You only live once. Do what you want. Most of us don't need half the crap we think we do.
Abraham
Hmmm, I suppose there are some things we can do. Living closer to work is by far the biggest one. Then again some folks who work in big cities just can not afford to live near work.
Another would be making the financial/ lifestyle choice to have a job that is 35-40 hours a week instead of one that is 45+. Generally these jobs pay a bit less and also you are less likely to climb the ladder at work.
It is that old adage that you can have time or money but not both.
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