I’m realizing more and more the power of getting something done in a few minutes, that it’s better than nothing. I used to think I needed a big chunk of time to get anything actually accomplished. Whether it was reading, cleaning, or even certain work projects.
If I only had 5 minutes, I would think, “what could I really accomplish in that amount of time.” A lot it turns out. Those 5 minutes add up. And something is better than nothing. I say that all the time when it comes to working out, “something is better than nothing.” A 20 minute walk is better than no walk. A 5 minute walk is better than no walk. Only have 30 seconds to spare? Do some jumping jacks or knee raises or just stretch. It’s better than sitting down and doing nothing. Sitting down is terrible for our health. Even if you just stand up for 10 seconds before your next meeting.
The same with reading. I used to read for hours when I was younger. Little did I know how precious time would get as you got older. How young, how naive. Then for years after college I didn’t read at all because I felt like I never had the time. I couldn’t commit one or two hours to read so why even bother.
When I started commuting on the train for work, that’s when I would steal those precious minutes to read. Even if it was just a few pages, those pages would add up and eventually I would finish the book and feel so accomplished. Look at me go.
I’m noticing that things really get done in those 5 minutes. It may not be perfect but it’ll be done, and sometimes that is good enough. As the oldest daughter, I feel the insatiable need to strive for perfection in everything I do but eventually I realized that nothing would get done if that were the case. Nothing is perfect. A project that is complete is better than an incomplete project, even if it’s not what you originally planned for or envisioned.
