How Much of Your “Now” Are You Using for “Later”?
It’s mid-morning. I pull my teeth retainer out of the cup they’ve been soaking in for a few hours. I brush them, dry them, then put them back in their case. I won’t need them again until bedtime. But I want to get them ready now.
I have a busy week ahead, so I look over my schedule for the next few days. I want to see which of tomorrow’s tasks I can go ahead and do today to save me some time tomorrow. I flag a few to finish by early afternoon.
Next, the clock says my dinner guests will arrive in a few hours, so I spend this hour straightening the house and prepping the food. I want everything to be ready for their arrival.
We all have tasks that we do now for later. Plan a trip. Shop for groceries. Fill the gas tank.
But I’m curious if they can get out of proportion.
Am I spending too much of my now to prepare for later?
My future self in today says no. She has no problem with any preparations I make for her.
- She appreciates that yesterday I washed the shirt she wants to wear today.
- She’s glad I did my workout earlier this morning instead of needing to do it at noon.
- She thanks me for finishing this week’s book club chapters last night instead of having to speed read them today.
But sometimes the proportion still feels off.
So in this year of taking a curious look at how life happens and why I do things as I do, I am mindful of a mental shift I might make with time.
Can I practice seeing more of my tasks for the future as beneficial in the present moment, instead of only beneficial later?
When my friends arrive for dinner later this evening, I’ll be glad that the food will be ready so I can concentrate on our conversation instead of on cooking. But can’t I also be glad that I’m getting to spend this hour baking the cake and sweeping the floor?
Time is a slippery thing. I want to be prepared for later. “Work before play” and all that. But I also want to enjoy the present, too, maybe by reframing the preparation work as play, too.
Gerald May is quoted as saying,
“The difference between work and play is only a matter of attitude. Work, fully done, is play.”
I’m curious if he may have been right.
How much work do you do now to prepare for the future? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Read More:
- Value the Process, Not Just the Outcome
- Accepting Our Present (and Past) Selves Can Be Hard
- Can You Find a New Way to See an Old Problem?
- Fasting the Illusion of Independence – 40 People of Lent Project
- Find Something to Hear, to Say, to See about Your One Word of the Year
Lately, I’ve realized, that no matter how much I plan ahead, I can’t predict what will happen to interfere with the final outcome. Trying to take one day at a time and one task at a time. As someone who likes to plan ahead, this is a bit distressing for me. Maybe, I’ll get used to it.
Blessings, Lisa!
Lisa, since my word for this year is “now,” you definitely grabbed my attention with this one! I appreciate efficiency, so I like to prep for the future too. But now you’ve got me mulling over how I can be in the moment even with those tasks … 🙂
This is food for thought. My plans to work ahead more this year have definitely been challenged. Maybe I need to quit being frustrated with it and just, as you said, enjoy the task at hand. Thanks for making me reconsider, Lisa.
Lisa, love your thoughts here. I wonder if I am so busy preparing for later that I miss the magic of the present moment, “Can I practice seeing more of my tasks for the future as beneficial in the present moment, instead of only beneficial later?” This has been something I am practicing to help me stay present. God has so much for us right now!
The quote by Gerald May reminds me of a quote I have hanging in my kitchen by J.M. Barrie, “Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.” I guess the author of Peter Pan would know.
You’re lighting up all my circuits with all this future planning talk, Lisa. I couldn’t agree more, and on the negative side of things, there’s not much more discouraging or upsetting to me than being late and shoved up against a deadline.
Lately, my husband and I have been reminding ourselves: “Later is now.” It’s a simple phrase, but it’s changed how we see time. We’ve started realizing that we shouldn’t put off the things that really matter until some distant future. Whether it’s spending more time together, going after our dreams, or just enjoying life’s little moments, we’ve learned that the time to act is always right now.
This mindset has made us more mindful and grateful for what we have. It’s prompted us to reassess our priorities and take steps towards our goals. So instead of waiting for later, we’re making things happen now. We try, try ty it…
Thank you so much for your blogpost Lisa!
Yes, I think he may be right! We had a pastor one time who encouraged us to enjoy everything that we do while we are doing it. And he always said, “even if it’s cleaning the toilet”. I have found that putting Colossians 3:23 into practice has been what has helped me the most with it.
I know I spend too much time in the future. I think some people are wired for that. Doesn’t make it right and being more in the now is a good practice, so even if I am wired for the future, I can try to be more present, right? I think your key is your word: proportion. That is something I will be pondering. Thanks Lisa
Hi Lisa, thanks for linking up your thoughtful post at the #Weekendtrafficjamreboot. I’m a planner so am guilty of using my ‘now’ for later but in doing so, it can make life less stressful knowing I’m prepared or knowing what is in my diary. However, you make an excellent point that living this way can prevent us from living in and enjoying the moment. Finding the balance or ‘proportion’ is definitely the key. Have a lovely week. x
A very thought provoking post Lisa! I think we can even live life entirely in the future & miss the present moments!
Since being set aside with chronic health conditions, hubby & I have had to take a long, serious & yes at times painful look at how we live each day.
For me living with Fibromyalgia makes life unpredictable, so I’m forced to live in the moment & be present in each day. As I can’t solidly plan for tomorrow.
And in this it has been freeing to “Be” with the Lord instead of always “doing” for Him each day.
We are too busy for future moments that when they arrive, we continue to be busy for future moments! ????
Thank you for your curiosity here.
blessings, Jennifer
Lisa,
Very interesting and thought provoking post…I am an avid list maker and always have been…So I guess you might sat that I am always thinking of and preparing for “later”. When I first retired, I tried not to go by my daily and weekly To Do Lists and I found that I was wandering aimlessly through my days and not accomplishing much at all…Making To Do Lists keep me focused and gives me a sense of accomplishment when I check off doing something on those lists…Having worked full time night shift for 37 years while raising 2 sons just shy of two years apart, I had to make my lists so I would know what the heck I had to do , go and be responsible for… Now , it seems to give me a sense of purpose and keeps me busy….Maybe sometimes too busy but I like to be busy as I am not one to sit…I enjoy what I call “playing” in my home..Others call what I do work but I guess you can then say that I live in the now because I look at it as “play” and not work…Thanks for such an interesting post!! Have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Great thoughts, Lisa; we need to balance the preparatory time for later with living in the moment. One thing that helps me live in the moment while preparing for something that is taking place later is praise and worship. When I crank up the music in the kitchen while cooking or straightening the house, I’m worshipping at the moment while preparing the house for others to enjoy later.
Lisa, these contemplations are truly worth considering. I often have those days when the morning workout feels like a daunting task. Sometimes, a leisurely cup of coffee and a slow start is just what I need. But here’s the revelation: the sooner I tackle my tasks, the sooner I can savor the other joys life offers.
I Imagine those delightful moments: strolling with my girls, coloring sessions in the evening, and precious time with my husband. These are the rewards that await me after fulfilling my daily responsibilities. If only we could pause time and let those beautiful moments unfold effortlessly.
Thank you for sharing your insightful post with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #26
Huh… You’ve piqued my “curiosity.” There’s much food for thought here. Pausing to reflect on your words here today.
Thanks so very much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.