12 January 2012 - by lexie

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These days, it seems like a lot more people are wishing we had more than 24 hours in a day. And up until recently I too would often make these same statements, commenting on how much more we could achieve, how we would possibly spend the extra time, how much easier it would make life.

Since starting Project 365 Thanks I have tried to make a conscious effort to slow down and wherever I am, be present. I have focused on things like trying to keep my mind from wandering during spin class (the instructor told me this week I am a ‘dreamer’, obviously he could tell my mind was anywhere but in the cycle studio – oops! I thought to myself “It’s 5.30am – I should still be dreaming”, but that’s a whole different blog post). When talking on the phone or skyping with family I’ve tried to have all my attention on them, not checking emails or having one ear to the TV. These may seem like simple changes, but they are proving harder for me than anticipated. My attention span fleets about like a flea. I am constantly thinking of what needs to be done, what I should move onto next.

Last week I caught myself dreaming of how it would help

to have more than 24 hours in one day. And then a thought hit me: maybe it’s a good thing there is only 24. If we had more hours it would only be filled with more activities, more work, more stress… more, more, more. I’m sure it wouldn’t be spent relaxing or unwinding, instead we would find things to fill that time; we would take on the extra work hours, take on more tasks and become even busier than before. We live in such a faced-paced society that the idea of slowing down seems almost impossible to some.

The more I thought about this, I realized I don’t want more hours in a day. I want to focus on being present in each moment and be thankful I only have 24 hours.

With only 24 hours, my time is more valuable. I think about what it is I really want to spend my time on instead of wasting it procrastinating, wishing I had more time to begin with. And yes, the picture above is my own planner. I may live by to-do lists and sticky notes, but I feel that even in the short amount of time that I have changed the way I think I have become better at valuing my time order viagra and focusing on the task at hand.

So this week, I am thankful that each and every day has only 24 hours. I hope to carry this throughout 2012 and make it the most productive and satisfying year to date.

I want to know: Would you prefer more hours in a day? What would you do with the extra time?

In: Internship | 6 comments »