Occasionally can be better than not at all
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Episode Transcript
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of I Heart Radio.
Good Morning. This is Laura, Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is to make it work once. Even if
something doesn't fit regularly into your life, you can probably
(00:24):
make it happen from time to time. Acknowledging this can
change the way you see your life. I have had
thousands of people track their time for me over the years.
Usually I have people track one week, which is a
hundred sixty eight hours, and I make sure to tell
people that there are no typical weeks. It really doesn't
(00:46):
matter which week you choose to track because we can
still learn a lot. But I'm still fascinated to see
some of the editorial comments people insert into their logs
about how it isn't a typical week. Some of my
favorite comments are about leisure activities that don't fit with
people's narratives. For instance, one woman went to the spa
(01:07):
during the week that she trapped. She made sure to
write me this this never happens, though clearly it did.
We all developed certain stories about our lives. If we
think we are working all the time or have no
time for fun when we do get time off work,
(01:27):
or we do have fun. We have to figure out
a way to make this fit with our narratives. So
we might decide that it is so rare that it
is not worth acknowledging. The problem with that, though, is
that then we don't get the full benefit of anticipating, savoring,
and reminiscing. Of course, this can go the other way too.
(01:48):
Sometimes we talk ourselves out of trying something that we'd
like to try because it can't fit in our lives
all the time. I love to run in the mornings,
and unfortunately, at the stage of my life with a
toddler who sometimes has bad nights and who wakes unpredictably,
it can be pretty challenging to pull off morning runs.
(02:09):
That said, it is not impossible. Even if I can't
guarantee that I can run it precisely six thirty a m. Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday, I can run in the morning sometimes. For instance,
I can usually make it work at least one weekend
day each weekend, and if I planned ahead and coordinated
with my husband, I'm sure I could do one week
day each week if I wanted to as well. This
(02:31):
is a far cry from none, so we want to
make sure our narratives are accurate. If there is something
you'd love to do but it doesn't fit regularly in
your life, see if you can make it happen once
in the next two weeks. Look at your calendar, see
what time might be a possibility, figure out the logistics
(02:53):
required to make it work. Calling in chits once every
two weeks probably isn't going to over tax anyone in
your life. But if you acknowledge that this good thing
is happening, it contains the story you tell yourself. For instance,
I can think, hey, I get to run in the morning.
(03:14):
It may not happen as easily or as often as
I'd like, but it is still happening. And if you
get to visit a spa, well, why try to convince
yourself that this never happens. You're much better off putting
it on the calendar, looking forward to your fun, savoring
it while it happens, and then recounting the happy memory afterward.
(03:36):
That way, you can maximize your enjoyment. Whereas if you
try to convince yourself that it never happens, well, what
fun is that other than to maintain a narrative of
being a martyr? I guess and that can be fun
in a way, but as we often say, hear it
before Breakfast, no one wins in the misery Olympics. Better
(03:59):
not to take part. In the meantime, This is Laura.
Thanks for listening, and here's to making the most of
our time. Hey, everybody, I'd love to hear from you.
You can send me your tips, your questions, or anything else.
(04:21):
Just connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at
Before Breakfast pod. That's B the number four, then breakfast
p o D. You can also shoot me an email
at Before Breakfast podcast at i heeart media dot com
that Before Breakfast is spelled out with all the letters.
Thanks so much, I look forward to staying in touch.
(04:48):
Before Breakfast is a production of I Heart Radio. For
more podcasts from my heart Radio, visit the I heart
Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your
favorite shows. Word don't again get
Before Breakfast News
Host
Laura Vanderkam
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