Route 66 Installment #18: Do Better Stuff
Reading Time: 2 minutes“Do Better Stuff.” What does that really mean?
Quite simply, it means that time is finite and we choose every hour, day, month, and year how to spend that time. 
I have been doing some ghostwriting lately for an accounting tech company.
Wait! Before you stop reading or doze off, let me explain why that’s relevant.
The month-end close is a process that most businesses go through. They reconcile their income and expenses and feed that data into a going-forward plan.
We can all be the CPAs and CFOs of our own lives.
We just wrapped up April and are now 120 days into the year. This month, I wrote about “spring cleaning” and the many ways we can take stock of our internal and external messes and clean some of them up. I also read a great book called The Power of Regret which guides us on how to channel our screw-ups into becoming better people.
And, geek that I am, I made a concise list of what I accomplished this month, what still needs a deep cleaning, and how I’m planning to attack those dust bunnies.
How Did the Pandemic Factor into All of This?
Over the past three years, we’ve radically changed how we work and live. Now is a good time to think about:
- What are some of the activities that I loved prior to the pandemic and how can I (responsibly)
build them back into my life? For example, I realized that I missed business conferences and trade shows. I used to also go to at least one local event each week, and am slowly re-learning how to make small talk and balance a cocktail and a plate of apps. - What did I do differently during that time that made my life better? New habits and hobbies? New work schedule? It could be as simple as ordering groceries from Instacart or doing jigsaw puzzles. Keep doing the things you love.
- What bad habits did I pick up during that time that I need to break? You’re not alone. A whopping 61 percent of people say that want to break pandemic habits.
- What did I intend to do that I never actually got around to doing? It’s never too late!
As we tiptoe or dash headfirst into May, let’s take a look at the balance sheets of our lives and make sure we have built our passions and goals into the equations.
Our theme for next month is “How to Ask for Help (and Who to Ask)” in honor of May Day.
The pandemic changed the way I live every aspect of my life. I miss travel, but am not willing to do it yet. I miss friends in person but again it’s just not worth it to me.
Thanks for the comment, Rena! Everyone is re-entering the world at their own pace and comfort level. Hybrid and digital-only social circles are here to stay and we can all “travel” from our homes and offices. In many ways, the pandemic expanded my work and life community!
For me it means writing. Yesterday I didn’t do what I had planned to do. TODAY, I will. The weather here is lousy, so no excuses. Have a productive week.
Thanks, Beth! As a fellow writer, I know that sometimes the words simply don’t travel from brain to fingers. Never scold yourself for procrastinating or staring at a blank screen. Been there many times! xo Nancy
Embarrassingly, the pandemic didn’t change my life that much. Before I was an indoor book worm and I still am. Still, going out in the world is different. Now I hardly see masks anywhere. Not sure if that’s good or bad.
I think the pandemic was great for writers/creators in many ways. I was able to fully explore my introverted side and now choose carefully when I’m going out and who/what I’m spending time and energy on. I have found many more ways to keep myself entertained.
The pandemic played a significant role in shaping many aspects of our lives, including the topics we’re discussing. It has influenced everything from work dynamics and healthcare to social interactions and the way we approach various challenges.