Apr 12, 2009
"Tip of the Week" – 10 Things That Won't Matter in 10 Years; 10 Things That Will
by Susan Cartier Liebel
Life is about perspective and everyday we have to remember to keep perspective. As always, a huge fan of Pick the Brain for inspiration, I came across this post Ten Things That Won’t Matter in Ten Years’ Time and Ten Things That Will.
I don’t know about you but I sometimes live too much in the existing 24 hours and its ups and downs and lose sight of the bigger picture and in doing so lose sight of what really matters.
You’re stressed, overworked, and tired. You feel like you’re dropping the ball on so many things. You find yourself lying awake in the early hours, thinking about those items still on your to-do list, those emails not yet cleared.
Have you ever heard the phrase “don’t sweat the small stuff”? There are so many things that we waste huge amounts of energy on (and worry is always wasted energy), which just won’t matter in a week, let alone ten years.
And in doing so what ‘important’ things, those things that will matter 10 years from now, are you forgetting to take care of?
I’ll make my list.
Ten Things that Won’t Matter in 10 Years
1. A sink full of dishes even though the dishwasher is empty.
2. Answering every e-mail quickly
3. Less than ideal internet speed
4. Saving a few dollars instead of saving time.
5. Being somewhere on time but at the cost of making everyone around me crazy.
6. Getting stuck behind a slow driver.
7. Circling for ten minutes to find a parking space
8. Getting a bad meal at a restaurant
9. Feeling guilty I don’t make gourmet meals every night. (Thanks @nikiblack)
10. Someone bumping into me and not even saying ‘excuse me.’
Ten Things That Will Matter
1. Calling my parents everyday, sometimes two or three times a day
2. Telling my son and husband I love them for no reason everyday, all day long
3. Making sure my son eats ultra-healthy and explaining why broccoli is good for his body as he gags on it.
4. Always finding the money to take vacations and gain perspective
5. Keeping my brain stimulated
6. Not being materialistic
7. Rescuing a chipmunk (rabbit, mouse, baby squirrel) from my cat’s jaws of death
8. Dropping everything to kiss my son’s boo boos
9. Recycling
10. Buying organic and fair trade whenever possible.
Keeping perspective on your solo practice as you ride the 24 hour cycles are just as important. Those days that go south and make you want to chuck it all are the days you need to step outside, take a breath of fresh air and say, ‘will what is bothering me today and seem so critical or earth-shattering or annoying matter in 10 years?’ And then keep sight of the goals you have for yourself in ten years, both personally and professionally. You’ll be able to find your priorities fairly quickly and expend your energies accordingly.
It’s a habit that must be learned, nurtured and respected. It will make your day, week, month and life better.
So, what’s on your list?
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amy said on Apr 16, 2009
wonderful post. thank you for sharing this!
Julie said on Apr 25, 2009
Susan, What a great post! So true.