Efficiency is Key
Seriously, you should try it.
This essay has been sitting in my draft box for months. I was still driving professionally when it was originally written! But, this past week in USPS Window School I read something that really correlated. The manual said something to the effect of, ‘an organized workstation creates a more efficient workplace’ and so on… So I’ve revised and published, Efficiency is Key, I hope y’all enjoy it!
I hate to be wasteful — I’ll pour the water from an old cup in the dog’s bowl, before I’ll pour it down the sink. And I love to be efficient! I might not be the fastest, or the best — but I strive to be a righteous balance of the two. It’s so satisfying to complete a task in the most efficient manner. Seriously, you should try it — it’s so much freaking fun!
I’m obsessed I apply this technique often. Actually, I thought of this essay topic while peeing this morning. 🫢Yup — I even attempt that task with efficiency in mind. Not peeing per-say, but the flushing part. You’ve all heard the saying, “If it’s yellow, let it mellow,” right? Well we don’t live in the city, so we’re not charged for each gallon, but we do have an old cistern-style shallow well and need to be somewhat cognizant of our water use.
So I don’t always, “let it mellow.” But there’s no reason to flush 3 or 4 times within a couple hours right? Each flush is 1.2 gallons, and that’d be wasteful.
We’re all familiar with the GPS route options while driving — you can choose from the “quickest,” or the “most efficient route.” I’ve driven over half-a-million miles professionally, so I was on the road a lot. And while I still keep the default preference set on the “quickest” route, I will often swap over to the “most efficient” one. Again, I wasn’t winning any awards for delivering the fastest or getting the most units delivered — but in 6 years I always delivered on time, and have never had an accident. That’s efficiency right there baby!
And of course I strive to be efficient with money. I’m not cheap, but I am frugal. I do not like to be wasteful of money because money equals time, and I place great value on how I spend my time. So often when eating out, my sweetheart and I will share meals. I mean, have you seen the portion sizes in the USA? Plus, we’re there as much for the experience as we are the food. Not to mention, sharing is really fun!
"With parsimony a little is sufficient—without it nothing is sufficient—but frugality makes a poor man rich.” -Seneca
Now I don't get crazy with it though. There’s one thing that I make a point never to apply efficiency to, and that’s people. Maybe that’s the whole point of applying it to everything else? Because doing that allows me the freedom to give my undivided attention to whomever I’m with at the moment. Whether that be someone else, or just myself.
Whoa, this essay just took a turn I didn’t expect. My realization — when we are more mindful, we’ll be more efficient! Being aware and paying attention to all that is interacting with us, will also bring more efficiency into our lives. That efficiency will then help us to be more mindful and conscious of the present moment, of Life itself!
Wow — having been meditating now for 19 days, I am both surprised and pleased that I had come to that conclusion back in the spring. I really do think that efficient is just another way of saying mindful. Meditation for me is not about finding nothingness, it’s kind’ve like being aware of and then steering my thoughts — I could even say, it’s being efficient with my thoughts.
And I think that if we’re paying attention, we’re never going to choose the in-efficient route in life. That’s not to say that we won’t detour on purpose, but that’s totally different because we’re aware of the decision. And being aware, allows us to enjoy the ride.
Efficiency is Key.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply—I want to hear from you too! Do you think that efficiency can lead to a happier life?
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BTW- Here’s a link to my archive, I just unlocked over 40 essays. Happy Reading!🤠🤙
I like the way you talk! I could listen to you read a whole book.
Love this MJ.