We live in a world where convenience is coined with efficiency. Efficiency became a holy word, and it’s the way of the economy. Consumerism built a lot of “efficient” packages so we can do more in less time. Technology is invented and innovated for the sake of efficiency.
Hidden from these concepts are the thoughts and behaviors that change how we deal with ourselves and people around us. Our decisions to do things become more like how we use technology—they need to be efficient, thus inconvenience becomes our enemy. We feel that we are wasting our time if something is not worth it. It’s a terrible feeling for you and the observer of you.
Maybe not all things we do should be convenient or efficient. Here are some areas in life where the investment of time makes all the difference:
Career
Going to school and adding value to yourself while working is inconvenient and difficult, especially when adding taking care of your kid(s) to the mix. But what you become brings more value than what you bring.
Physical
- Thirty minutes of exercise a day ( even 10 min – keep moving!) can give you more energy to spend on the things in life that matters to you.
- Preparing your food
Spiritual
- Maybe 5 minutes meditation every day can center you and flood yourself with serotonin instead of cortisol
- Practice gratitude
Financials
- Taking time to look at your finances and see how well or not well you’re doing but you know it’s a MUST for you.
- Saving 10% of what you earned to your retirement instead of …..
Relationships
- Spending a few seconds to look someone in the eye and meaning the word “Thank you” or “Good Morning.” Just Smile!
- By being present during the dinner time instead of being on our phone.
- How many times we use convenience as an excuse? Instead of picking up the phone, we use text or email.
In Zulu, kunzima means difficult. Maybe spending the needed time may save you more. And perhaps, there are things worth the difficulty.