What are YOU investing your time into?
By Gabe Turner
@gabeturner (56)
Crossville, Tennessee
December 10, 2015 3:31pm CST
It usually takes a long time to achieve anything truly significant. But when you stop and think about it... a year (or 5 years) goes by pretty quickly, right?
All the more reason to take AT LEAST a few minutes out of every day to invest in something that you'll thank yourself for later.
At age ten I started learning the sax. And, unlike the piano lessons (that drove me to tears), I didn't get annoyed with it. After diligently putting in 30 min. a day for a while, I could see improvement (and I started to like what I heard). After a few years, I was among the best players in my school band. And later on... people thought I was good enough to pay me actual money to play my instrument - whoa.
I haven't pursued the life of a musician for a while now (there were a lot of things about it that just wasn't what I wanted - another story for another day) but I never forgot that simple principle that...
Consistent action over time REALLY ADDS UP.
I've applied it to lots of things. For the last few years I've been practicing my writing skillz. Not as consistently as I played the sax (gotta work on that). But, even so, I've been able to get paid to write for a while now. I know, it still kinda blows me away. Many times I've actually been able to get paid WHILE I practice (hmmm... that's a post for another day I think!).
For the last 3 years I've been posting videos on YouTube. I started sharing anything I thought people would find interesting (what it was like going to Berklee College of Music, What it's like to work on a cruise ship, etc.) basically a video blog. I've made around 70 videos and those are still some of my most popular ones! I'm blown away by how many people watch those things every day.
Some of the things I practice are more successful than others...
-I bought a chromatic harmonica 5 years ago and told myself I'd practice for 15 min./day and in a few years I'd be pretty decent. I haven't been consistent with it, though. But... I know more than I would've if I'd never started at all. And I still can get back on the horse. Seriously, it's the perfect instrument - fits in your pocket and you can take it with you everywhere. I have no excuse not to practice it. I'll let you know how that goes.
-A few months ago I told myself I'd do at least 25 push-ups every day. So simple I couldn't fail, right? I was good for the first 2 weeks but after that I started skipping days. I'll get back at it, though. When I do actually do the push-ups I can do 50 at a time now. So, that's a little progress.
Point is...
What are YOU investing your time into?
Is it the kind of investment you'll be happy about later?
I'm not saying to throw your TV or XBox away... but if you don't invest your time into something truly valuable (in the long term) you run the risk of being disappointed.
Read for 30 min/day, do 50 push-ups a day, practice your instrument, learn a language, write something (here on myLot!), learn a skill that will make you more moolah, whatever...
Make the commitment so easy that you can't fail at it. If 30 min. of reading is a lot... commit to 15. You'll probably end up reading more anyway. And if you don't, that's okay.
Then you can go watch an awesome TV show. It's kinda like eating your veggies before dessert.
If you start now you'll be SO glad you did later.
***TELL ME: What is it that you invest in every day (or semi-regularly) that you'll thank yourself for later?
10 people like this
12 responses
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
10 Dec 15
My problem is, if I start reading, I don't put the book down till it is finished, I don't even remember to eat or drink something, I get so lost in a good book. I invest in my home and my family, by keeping my home running smoothly and my family happy and healthy.
7 people like this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
10 Dec 15
I hear ya! I'm the same way with books. But I realized after a while that I wasn't reading much - even though I LOVE to read. I had to change that pattern.... so I'm making myself read in smaller chunks... and working my way through more books! I do have some times that go WAY too long, though :).
3 people like this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
10 Dec 15
@gabeturner , books do have a way of pulling a person in, so it is great that you have been able to break reading up into chunks, even if you sometimes go a bit over the time you set aside for it :-).
4 people like this
@JudyEv (339576)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 16
I had to give up reading when I had a young family to look after. I was forever burning the dinner or forgetting stuff because I'd get so absorbed in a book. Now, sad to say, I've got out of the habit but I must pick it up again one day - soon.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 Dec 15
Every day I definitely invest a lot of time here, I Home School my children so I invest a lot of time in their education, and I enjoy reading and invest time into that too.
5 people like this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
10 Dec 15
It will pay off! We home school, too!
3 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
1 Feb 16
@gabeturner I loved the family reading times we enjoyed together when we were homeschooling.
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
11 Dec 15
Oh I love musical instruments and I look up to those that can master them. Both my daughters play the saxophone - About the push ups . . . my dad lived to the ripe old age of 91 and he did push ups till about 87, then his knees locked a little but he continued to do the touch toes 100 times every morning to help the back bend. I do the same but sit ups and push ups are not easy for me - rather i go and play Lawn bowls 4 times a week - it requires 2km of walking every game and plenty of bending.
4 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
12 Dec 15
@gabeturner I absolutely love the game!! Its my new found love
3 people like this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
11 Dec 15
That's good encouragement about the exercise. Even a little bit is good! Love Bocce ball. Need to get those out sometime soon.
4 people like this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
11 Dec 15
Thanks! I've spent some time in South Africa, btw! I was there on 9/11 - in Worcester, spent a while in East London and then Pretoria.
3 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
15 Dec 15
@gabeturner For that reason i quite like books with short chapters, as you know you can break off quickly if you so wish.
2 people like this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
11 Dec 15
Thanks! I long for the days when I used to spend a whole 7 day camping trip just reading ALL day. Of course, that's when I was a kid with no responsibilities! The perfectionism thing in me says, "If you can't read for a good quality 1-2 hour session than you might as well not do it at all." And that's been bad for my brain :). So, I force myself to read in smaller chunks. I'm slowly realizing that it's possible.
2 people like this
@Syllogism (206)
• China
11 Dec 15
Hmm,persistence is powerful.
You seem to have a strong self-discipline and willpower.
3 people like this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
11 Dec 15
It's amazing what can happen with just a little bit done consistently over time. Imagine what doing A LOT consistently over time does - so simple and yet so powerful.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
29 Jan 16
I was glad to find you here. I was wondering what you were up to. I write every day for some venue that pays me something for participating. I spend time reading and commenting on the blogs of others in my promotion groups and sharing those I think have value to my followers. I try to make a new Zazzle product at least once a week. I think I will need to get back to the gym very soon, since I finally have the OK from my doctors again. I try to catch up on my reading while I ride the exercise bike there. The only problem is that if the book is interesting, I don't want to put it down when I get home and start writing.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
30 Jan 16
@gabeturner Thanks. I saw you weren't the only one I hadn't answered. By the way, we just got word Persona Paper is closing and will not be issuing any more coins, so anyone who writes there now is doing it for free. They are leaving the site open so that people can back up their work, say goodbye, etc., for a limited time. The site owners have been very good about keeping us in the loop.
1 person likes this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
30 Jan 16
Hi Barb! Glad to see you here, too! You actually triggered the thought for me to go check out some blog promotion groups when I was reading your blog the other day :). Look forward to taking advantage of that. I actually wrote a comment on your blog that is awaiting moderation :). I'm looking forward to following your example and jump more into some of these writing sites.
1 person likes this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
30 Jan 16
@bagarad No problem... it was this one:
Immediate Actions after Squidoo Closed It’s been almost a year since Squidoo lensmasters received the announcement that Squidoo was closing. They learned that unless they took immediate acti…
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27134)
• Dallas, Texas
17 Dec 15
Maybe I will pick up the guitar and try to learn a few chords. Or I might play the electronic keyboard a little tomorrow. It is late now, about 11:42 PM and about past my bedtime.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339576)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 16
When our son was learning double bass we were forever wishing he'd ditch it for a harmonica but he makes his living from it now and transportation is his problem so all is good.
@JudyEv (339576)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Feb 16
@gabeturner He hitch-hiked with it once in Ireland. Two truckies travelling together pulled up - one took his bass and one took him. Imagine hitch-hiking with a double-bass. He has a wheeled affair too now for pushing it round streets.
1 person likes this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
31 Jan 16
HA! Bass is a great instrument but I sure wouldn't have to deal with lugging it around... I had friends in Boston who played and it sure looked tough! They had wheels on the bottom so they could push it down the city streets! Good for him if he's gone that far with it, though :). I'm happy to be working on my harmonica that fits in my pocket :).
1 person likes this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
11 Dec 15
Thanks. I like writing these sorts of things because I'm preaching to myself as well. Sometimes when I get off track I'll go through my YouTube videos or blog posts and inspire myself. I write stuff down in my journals all the time but I rarely go back to them. Seeing something that's public online really has an effect to jerk me out of my funk :).
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
10 Dec 15
well shucks nothing lol, I'm retired I'm entitled.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
10 Dec 15
@gabeturner Love my boys, they are the most important thing in my life. They know this I have always been an overprotective mom.
4 people like this
@gabeturner (56)
• Crossville, Tennessee
10 Dec 15
Different seasons of life sure do make a difference. But... like @bluesa said... she's investing in her family - I look at quality time with family and friends as one of the most important investments you can make. Enjoy your friendships here online and in real life!
4 people like this
