Worry Less and Focus on What Really Matters

When I catch myself worrying about something, I remind myself of this popular adage: "Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but gets you nowhere." Even though I first heard this decades ago, this line still strongly resonates with me today.

It's natural to worry. It's part of human nature. Worrying is something that you can't completely avoid, no matter how hard you try. It's perfectly fine to worry if you're in a dangerous situation (like an earthquake or a hurricane) or if a loved one is going through some serious trauma.

It's fine to worry about these things, within reason. You shouldn't worry too much about things that happened a long time ago. You shouldn't worry much about things that aren't any of your business. You also shouldn't worry a lot about things that are out of your control.

But there are things that you CAN control. You can control how you spend your time, effort, and focus. Don't waste your time or mental energy on things that don't serve you. Don't waste your effort on things that aren't important to your or a priority in your life. Spend time on what directly impacts your life or the lives of the people you love. Focus on the things that move you forward.

If you reflect on how you've been spending your time, you'll be more satisfied and fulfilled knowing that you spent your life on things that matter to you.

Roderick Conwi writes about personal and professional development at Nourishment Notes. He is also the author of The Procrastinator's Quick Guide To Getting It Done. To get powerful insights to enhance your day, join his FREE newsletter.