Issue #229: Pay Yourself First
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, August 22nd.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: In Need of More Time
Speed Read: Successful Psychopaths
Tuesday QR: Peanut Butter Protein Bars
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”
The number of weeks for the average American given the current lifespan of 76.4 years. (Harvard School of Public Health)
From the Lab
Nearly every night I hit the sheets wishing I “got more done” or that I “spent more time with my kids” or even that I “got some time outside.”
I’ve had countless days where my color-coded calendar is completely full; and yet, I rush through my kids’ bedtime routine knowing that I’ve got to get back online after they fall asleep.
Most all of us are living at a pace that seems unsustainable - wishing we simply had more time.
How do we “make” more time?
That’s the question that’s led to thousands of best-selling productivity books unlocking the secret to giving us our time back.
Some of those tricks and hacks do work. I got more done when I transitioned my weekly “To Do List” into Calendar time slots.
But, as Oliver Burkeman argues in Four Thousand Weeks - the entire premise is wrong.
We can’t “make” time. It’s finite.
We can pretend all we want that we can do more - but the reality is that we’ll never feel like we’re not “behind.”
His best answer to this problem - accept it.
Accept the fact that there’s 24 hours in a day. That we’re going to live four thousand weeks; and that we’re not going to be able to do everything that we want.
When we come to grips with this reality its actually a relief.
I struggle with this. No matter how much I try to wrap my head around it, I just want to prove it wrong. Somehow I can be the one that does everything well - crushing it at work, being a great partner, the best dad to my kids.
But there’s two problems with this:
First - it never works. I fall into the trap Burkeman lays out. Something always gets dropped. And if I didn’t expect it to fail it’s all the worse.
For example, our home repairs drag on much longer than expected. We’ve had multiple projects in the yard and in the house that never seem to get done. It gnaws at me (and my wife even more) - so it’s this thorn in my side that leaves me with a little extra anxiety.
Second - “doing” is the opposite of “wonder.” If we’re always focused on tasks and doing things as a means to an end - then we’re never fully living for the sake of itself.
Wasting time - doing something without any goal or intention - is actually one of the best ways we can spend some of our time.
This is why we talk so much about things like having fun with friends and hobbies as being essential to a life well lived - and as pillars of health and longevity.
“Spending at least some of your leisure time ‘wastefully,’ focused solely on the pleasure of the experience, is the only way not to waste it…”
We shouldn’t be spending every waking hour for personal growth. This should be in combination with an hour for personal enjoyment.
Productivity Hacks
There really isn’t a true answer to the conundrum that is time.
But don’t worry - we wouldn’t leave you without some ways to figure out how to better use that time in an attempt to achieve that productivity you’re seeking - while finding some semblance of a balanced life:
Pay Yourself First. Whatever is most important to you in life - playing the guitar, working out, a quiet meal with your partner - put that on the calendar first. Your life is how you spend your time and if you always “wait” for what you love most, you’ll never actually do it.
Do 1 Big Project. We all think we can do everything - but that’s why every project deadline gets moved. Focus on one thing - if you think that’s impossible at work, challenge your boss/team that you aren’t actually doing more by planning more.
Write Down What Will Suck. I need to come to grips that our house won’t look immaculate right now - at least until that becomes the priority. Be honest with yourself of what isn’t going to get your time and attention - makes it much easier to accept.
Keep a “Done List.” We don’t celebrate enough - don’t just think about what you have to do in the future, give yourself some kudos for what you’ve already done.
Do Nothing. Appreciate the time when you’re not doing something, or at least something productive - just be present.
BONUS: Distractions take our attention to places we didn’t intend. Got a great tip from Sahil Bloom to use the “grayscale” mode on our iPhone. It makes it way less inviting to check 300 times a day (yes, the colors make that much of a difference in our brain).
Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters > Grayscale
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Vegetable oils have been linked to widespread health and environmental issues yet they’re in everything we eat. Zero Acre Farms is here to change that.
Full of heart-healthy and heat-stable monounsaturated fat, cultured oil has a high smoke point (485°F) and a clean neutral taste (see our issue on Barbecue). Use it for absolutely everything.
Click HERE to get 15% off your order with code THRIVE25 at Zero Acre Farms. Good for you, good for Earth, good for cooking. #EatBetterFat
Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
A Third Space: Is the gym the new office? It’s not home, so it’s more social. It’s not work, so you still have full control. Lifestyle and luxury gyms are adding co-working space to support this third space. (WSJ)
Assembly Theory: We’ve been searching for life across the universe since we could look up. And this search is accelerating with the recent launch of JUICE and Europa Clipper next year to Jupiter’s moons. But what will life look like and will we be able to recognize it? (Learn more)
Successful Psychopaths: Say it - “psychopath.” So much negative connotation. For years, research in psychopathy occurred at prisons - identifying traits of meanness and disinhibition. Recently, boldness has emerged as a third trait. There might be more to this definition. (Knowable)
Tuesday QR | Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Indulge in the delicious goodness of homemade Peanut Butter Protein Bars! Packed with natural peanut butter, honey, almonds, and wholesome oats, these bars are a delightful blend of flavors. A satisfying and nutritious treat for on-the-go snacking or post-workout fuel. Taste the difference of homemade goodness with every bite!
Thanks for joining us today!
Check out the latest workout videos on our YouTube channel
Got feedback, recommendations or stories to share? Tell us what’s on your mind here
Want this direct to your inbox? Sign up here
Why Thrive25
We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
This newsletter is for you and we truly value your feedback. Never hesitate to reach out to us at team@thrive25.com.
To health!
Sign up for free:
The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.