A Crucial Inquiry That Allowed Me to Reestablish My Time and Vitality

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“You can’t add more to your life until you first let go of what drags you down.” ~Unknown

I once believed that being busy equated to being successful. My days were a whirlwind of meetings, alerts, and responsibilities. My calendar appeared impressive, yet at night I found myself awake, questioning why I felt so drained and oddly unfulfilled.

One rainy Tuesday, caught in traffic between two appointments I was indifferent about attending, the realization struck me: I wasn’t truly living my life. I was merely managing it. My days were packed with activities, but not necessarily with significance. That moment of clarity initiated a gradual but profound change. I started to ask myself a pivotal question: Does this enrich my life?

This is how I learned to recognize the waste in my life—the habits, responsibilities, and even thought processes that consumed my time and energy without yielding anything in return. By identifying and releasing these, I opened up room for what genuinely mattered.

When Busyness Became My Norm

In hindsight, I realize that my busyness stemmed from fear. Fear of missing out. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of pausing long enough to feel my own emotions. So I agreed to every project, every invitation, every “opportunity.”

Initially, it felt rewarding. I felt needed and valued. However, over time, my days began to feel like an unending cycle of obligations. Even minor pleasures—hobbies, social gatherings—turned into tasks when I squeezed them between other responsibilities.

I started to dread living my own life.

The Question That Altered Everything

That day in traffic, something within me posed the question, “If this were the final year of your life, would you choose to spend it this way?” My truthful answer was no.

So I embarked on a small experiment. For one week, before agreeing to anything, I paused and asked, “Does this provide me value?” Not “Will this impress anyone?” Not “Will this bring me income?” Just “Does this nourish me in any way?”

It proved to be more challenging than I anticipated. Occasionally, the answer was ambiguous. Sometimes it meant declining invitations from people I cared about. Yet gradually, a pattern emerged.

Discovering What Brings You Value

I came to realize I didn’t genuinely understand what “value” meant for me. I had been measuring it against other people’s expectations. So I sat down with a blank sheet and drew a dividing line down the middle.

On the left, I listed everything from the previous week that made me feel alive, purposeful, or at peace. On the right, I documented everything that had left me drained, resentful, or indifferent.

The findings surprised me. Meaningful conversations with loved ones, time spent in nature, and writing all appeared on the left side. Endless scrolling, reactive emails, and overpacked evenings filled the right.

It wasn’t a flawless list, but it was a beginning. For the first time, I could see—in black and white—what nourished me and what depleted me.

You can try this too. It’s a straightforward yet powerful exercise. It becomes even more valuable when you revisit it regularly, as what brings value can evolve as your life changes.

Identifying Life’s Waste

In manufacturing, waste is any action that consumes resources without generating value. In life, waste may be less obvious but equally taxing.

Some of my “invisible wastes” included:

Multitasking. I believed it made me efficient, but it actually left me more fatigued and less effective.

Automatic agreements. I accepted every invitation out of routine, even when my body ached for rest.

Endless mental cycles. Worrying over things beyond my control drained energy I could have dedicated to creating something meaningful.

Your wastes may vary—relationships that exhaust you, purchases that provide no lasting happiness, or habits that numb instead of nurture. The key is to be aware of how you feel before, during, and after an activity. Do you feel lighter or heavier? Energized or dulled? That’s your signal.

Letting Go Gently

I didn’t completely transform my life overnight. In fact, trying to eliminate everything at once can be daunting. Instead, I began with small, gentle adjustments.

I chose to decline one low-value commitment each week. I imposed a time limit on my most draining habit (for me, it was social media). I swapped one exhausting activity for something from my “value” list.

For instance, I replaced my evening doomscrolling with a brief walk outside. That minimal change improved my sleep and mood more than I had anticipated.

These small experiments fostered confidence. Each gentle adjustment made room for more of what mattered. In time, my calendar felt less like a prison and more like a garden I could nurture.

One of the first instances I had to apply this to a larger social decision was when I was invited out for drinks after work with colleagues I hadn’t seen in a while. I had decided to prioritize time with my daughter, and attending would mean sacrificing our “bath and bedtime” routine with her and placing that burden on my partner.

I also worried that if I opted out, I’d let my friends down and they would think less of me. Ultimately, I had to choose between time for myself and friends or time with my daughter, and the clear winner was being a better father.

Instead of simply telling my colleagues “no” and leaving it at that, I explained my reasoning for declining and expressed interest for next time. By explaining, I was able to communicate my priorities and decision-making process.

I determined that if they had issues with that, I wouldn’t waste my energy on it, because true friends would be supportive or understanding of my priorities.

Creating a “Lean Life” System

Once I began to eliminate the waste, I wanted to ensure I wouldn’t regress into old habits. So I established a simple weekly routine:

Every Sunday, I reflect on the past week. What felt valuable? What felt like a waste? Then I select one small change for the upcoming week.

It’s not a strict system. It’s more like an ongoing dialogue with myself—a moment to realign. And because it’s simple, I actually follow through.

Over time, this practice has transformed me. I recognize waste more swiftly now. I’m slower to say yes out of obligation. My days feel more peaceful and purposeful.

The Freedom of Less

The most unexpected aspect of this journey wasn’t what I lost, but what I gained. By eliminating waste, I discovered time I didn’t realize I had. My relationships deepened. My work became more focused and fulfilling. I felt more present in my own life.

I’m still learning. Some weeks my “value audit” reveals uncomfortable insights. But each small shift draws me closer to a life that feels authentically mine.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, I encourage you to undertake this experiment:

For one week, pay attention to what energizes you and what depletes you.

Make one gentle cut.

Replace it with something you cherish.

It’s a modest practice, but it’s potent. This is how a lean life begins—not through a grand transformation, but with a single conscious choice.

Final Thoughts

You cannot lead a meaningful life on autopilot. It requires courage to pause, to question, and to let go. But the reward is spaciousness—room to breathe, to grow, to savor.

When you identify and release the waste, you not only free up time, but you liberate yourself.

**A Key Inquiry That Enabled Me to Reclaim My Time and Energy**

In today’s fast-paced environment, numerous individuals find themselves swamped by the pressures of work, family, and personal obligations. The fight to balance these duties often results in burnout, stress, and a sense of perpetual busyness without achieving meaningful progress. However, a transformative inquiry can act as a trigger for reclaiming time and energy: “What is my highest priority right now?”

This question holds great power because it encourages introspection and clarity. It urges individuals to examine their current commitments and determine whether they align with their core values and long-term aspirations. By concentrating on what genuinely matters, one can make more informed choices about where to allocate time and energy.

**Identifying Priorities**

The initial step in leveraging this question is to identify personal and professional priorities. This involves contemplating what brings joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. For some, it may involve progressing in their career, while for others, it could entail spending quality time with family or pursuing a passion project. By clearly outlining these priorities, individuals can develop a framework for decision-making.

**Evaluating Commitments**

Once priorities are clear, the following step is to evaluate current commitments. This can be accomplished by asking, “Does this commitment align with my highest priority?” If the answer is no, it might be time to reconsider or let go of that obligation. This process can be daunting, particularly if it means declining requests from others or stepping back from activities that once felt significant. Nevertheless, the goal is to create space for what truly matters.

**Setting Boundaries**

Reclaiming time and energy also necessitates the establishment of boundaries. This means being deliberate about how time is utilized and safeguarding it from distractions and less meaningful tasks. By setting clear boundaries, individuals can ensure that their highest priorities receive the attention they warrant. This might involve scheduling dedicated times for focused work, family activities, or self-care, and communicating these boundaries to others.

**Practicing Mindfulness**

Integrating mindfulness practices can further bolster the ability to reclaim time and energy. Mindfulness encourages individuals to be present in the moment and to recognize when they are straying from their priorities. Techniques such as meditation, journaling, or simply taking a few deep breaths can help individuals reconnect with their core values and remind them of what is truly significant.

**Reflecting and Adjusting**

Finally, it is crucial to regularly reflect on progress and modify as necessary. Life is fluid, and priorities may evolve over time. By consistently asking, “What is my highest priority right now?” individuals can remain aligned with their objectives and make needed adjustments to their commitments and boundaries.

In conclusion, the inquiry “What is my highest priority right now?” serves as a guiding principle for reclaiming time and energy. By identifying priorities, assessing commitments, establishing boundaries, practicing mindfulness, and regularly reflecting, individuals can cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life. This approach not only enhances productivity but also nurtures a greater sense of well-being and satisfaction.