Lazy or Crazy?
“Wow, so long here? Very uncommon of Americans,” said our driver in a broken English. We were in the back seat of a car weaving through the hills in the South of France, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This short, seemingly innocuous statement, shed a bright light on the profound differences in how Americans and French generally approach life and time. This was just one of the many “AHA!” moments that illuminated our travels.
My wife Jenn and I celebrated our 50th birthdays this year, and with our kids off to college in August, September became a time for celebration, reflection, and enjoyment. We embarked on a European tour, exploring Lisbon, Munich, Bordeaux, Nice, Monaco, and Paris. It was a journey filled with amazing moments and unforgettable stories.
However, what truly transformed this experience for me was the opportunity to observe other cultures and see how they balance work and leisure, and think about time in general. Our driver went on to talk about four-week vacations. He even explained how some people work only half the year. Most offices and schools in France close for lunch from noon to 2 p.m. There aren’t restaurants touting “the 30-minute lunch.” Meals in general linger and you have to proactively chase down your server to move the meal along.
There is no doubt, it is a slower pace. One where minutes are consumed and enjoyed differently than in the U.S. It made me self-reflect and ask some important questions of myself. Are they, with their longer vacations and meals, truly living life, or are they merely idling? Are they lazy? Am I crazy, trying to fit more into every minute than the day can handle?
The average U.S. worker invests 1,892 hours annually in their job, while the French dedicate around 1,565 hours. These figures reveal a startling truth – the French enjoy approximately 20,000 more minutes of leisure each year than their American counterparts.
As I thought more about it, these discoveries reaffirm one of the central principles of The Life Is Too Short Guy – Minutes Matter. It’s not about mere minute-counting; it’s about ensuring that every minute is cherished and well-spent, regardless of the number of hours you work. Maybe you choose to work more hours because you are passionate about your work. Or maybe you are just going through the motions each day and not really thinking about how you are spending your minutes.
Another principle of LITSG encourages readers to chase their Passions. Whether it is work, family, exercise, friends, hobbies, or whatever, allocate specific time to chase your passions. If the French can make time for relaxation and enjoyment amidst their work, so can we. After all, life is about finding balance and making each minute count.
So, how can you apply these insights to your own life? Start by reflecting on your relationship with work and leisure and time in general. Ask yourself some meaningful questions and write down your answers:
- Are your work minutes spent doing something you enjoy?
- Do you have a vision and plan for what you want to accomplish with your work minutes?
- How do you spend your non-work minutes?
- Are you thoughtful, deliberate, and proactive in how you spend all your minutes?
- Do you feel like you have the appropriate balance in how you use your minutes across all aspects of your life?
- How can you reallocate minutes to use them more wisely?
- Are you pursuing your passions, and are you deliberate in how you use your precious minutes?
As you reflect on the answers to the above question, think about what is working in your life and what is not. As I say in the book, Live Today – Don’t Wait For Tomorrow. Remember, the journey is as significant as the destination, and every minute counts, so use your minutes wisely and make today the best day ever!
Listening to LITSG
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Minutes Matter! Make the most of each one.
Regards,
Scott