Daniel MacDougall
"Lost time is never found again."
Benjamin Franklin
Stagnation is the lack of activity, growth, or development. Here, we introduce the concept of "time stagnation" to investigate the effects on your life. The term "wasting time" can be a common parallel, but implies a conscious effort to utilize time unproductivity. You typically know you're wasting time by watching TV, zombie scrolling on your phone, or engaging in endeavors that do not develop personal growth. However, there are moments when wasting a little of your time is what you need to unwind.
Time stagnation, on the other hand, refers to the desire to achieve a goal but finding failure in your endeavors. How do we properly utilize our time for activity, growth, and development to achieve our goals?
I.
It's important to clarify that time stagnation does not pertain to those moments stuck in traffic, long waits in an office, or any situation where you're bored and underwhelmed. Growth and development can be cultivated when circumstances appear mundane. It's how you use these moments that count. Use this time to listen to educational podcasts, practice breathing or meditation exercises, delve into audiobooks, or use this time for introspection and planning. If boredom creeps in, this could be a valuable sign to use this time effectively. Take these moments to strategize and plan your life. Consider the things that need to be accomplished and strategize. Growth comes from within.
II.
Implementing time prioritization strategies is another great place to start. One of the most effective methods is a task priority list. Write down the three most important tasks you must accomplish for the following day. When you start your day, begin to take control of your time and set out on the most critical task, and do not move on until that task is complete. Once you've completed task one, move on to the second task. This method leaves no room for "time stagnation." All of your time is directed to achieving a specific goal. You may not be able to achieve everything you desire in one day, but you can start with the highest priority.
III.
Do you keep finding yourself stuck in a rut or a cycle of stagnation? The underlying issue may be a lack of personal development. Think of building muscle. It takes time, hard work, and dedication to achieve goals in fitness. Being very fit is a skill that is achieved over time. Everyone knows this, but does everyone apply these simple principles to their life?
One of the ways you may find yourself in stagnation is your unwillingness to develop skills. Concentrate on acquiring skills that have a significant impact on your life. You may be avoiding skill development based on the perceived time and effort involved. Take a moment to think of a skill that would be beneficial to you at this moment. Then, consider your circumstances if you started training in that skill two years ago. How much further would you be ahead? This skill could be anything from carpentry, web design, writing, public speaking, and basic accounting. The list of beneficial skills is endless. The hardest part may be narrowing down which skill best suits your interests and development, but the key is to initiate your learning journey without being preoccupied with an end date. Dedicate time to a skill and begin. You'll learn the pitfalls and mistakes along the way. That's what learning is all about. Along this new skill path, other skills and knowledge may naturally appear along your journey. Thus, further enhancing your personal growth.
Weekly Side Quest.
Think of one skill you would like to undertake. Consider how this new skill could be an asset to you. Then, get started.
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Author's note: none of the written content was generated or made by AI. Our mission is provide the most human touch to our journeys together. Thankyou always, Daniel Macdougall…