An overview of today's content:
- How clutter can impact your focus and wellbeing (and what to do about it)
- Why you shouldn't let worry keep you from reaching out to friends you haven't spoken to for some time
- A reminder: Time is your only asset you can never get back
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Actions: Control your physical space. Don't let it control you.
When the physical space is cluttered, it makes it easy for our thoughts to do the same.
It sends a message to our brain that the work is never done. It keeps us from relaxing and detracts our focus to the physical objects in our field of vision.
With almost all of us having too much stuff around, improving the setup of your physical space is one of the most straightforward ways to improve your focus and reduce the friction keeping you from carrying out good habits.
Why Einstein was wrong on clutter.
Einstein once said a cluttered desk was better than an empty/clean desk. (pictured below is Einstein's desk on the day of his death)
But research suggests this is not the case.
📝 Read more in our recent article about what scientific evidence demonstrates for how your physical space affects focus and wellbeing and steps you can take.
Actions: Reaching out to friends you haven't spoken to
We've all been there. We have a friend we haven't spoken to for quite some time, be it months or even many years. In my own experiences in these cases, I sometimes get anxious and worried. I get concerned that reaching out to them after so much time has passed will feel odd or worse, that I don't care about them.
But at the same time, you have to remember...
Life happens. Sh*t happens. Just because you aren't in communication with a friend for some period of time, doesn't mean you don't value and appreciate them. It just means you two didn't communicate during that time.
The best thing to do when you think of a friend you haven't spoken to for some period of time is to reach out to them. Don't let the moment slip without taking action.
And recent research published in the American Psychological Association provides some interesting findings on the topic.
What did they find?
In a nutshell, when someone reached out to a friend they hadn't spoken to for months or years via call, text, note or gift, the person reaching out severely underestimated how appreciative the recipient would be.
So the next time a memory or thought comes up about a friend you haven't spoken to, give them a call. You are likely undervaluing how meaningful it will be for them. And, you'll get to reconnect with a friend you haven't spoken to.
I was recently reminded of a great strategy to make time for reaching out to friends from my brother. Every day, he takes a walk in his neighborhood in NYC, and he uses that time to call friends and family. Walking is a great way to do this, especially because you're in a semi-active state with your brain more engaged. But if you drive a car, calling during your commute is another great way to fit it into your day.
Bottom line: Call those friends you haven't spoken to. You won't regret it while as the years pass, you will regret not doing it.
Actions: Guard your time
There are so many things in life that can be renewed. Property, money, etc.. We guard these things so strongly, we install security systems and put up cameras on our front door, we balance our budgets and review our expenses. But property and money are renewable assets.
The only true thing that can never be renewed is your time.
None of us can escape this reality of life. And none of us can exactly predict when our hourglass of life will run out.
So don't feel bad saying no to other people's requests for your time.
You are here for a purpose and you have much to do.
You can't afford to spend your time on things you don't want to do or that don't serve your purpose and wellbeing.
Just say no in a polite manner.
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