A good metaphor for a good life is having a “Not Worth My Time” pile. This is where you mentally toss all the things, events, people, issues, information, emails, side hustles, and tasks that just aren’t worth the energy. And why does this matter? Because time is the most valuable thing you have. You only get so much of it, so you’ve got to be careful how you spend it.
One of the best ways to protect your peace—and even your success—is to build this mental pile. It’s not a place of anger or drama. It’s quiet. It’s calm. You don’t make a scene, you just quietly let go of whatever isn’t worth your time. It could be gossip. A pointless argument. A toxic conversation. A draining task. A never-ending thread of social media drama. Whatever it is, if it’s not helping you live a better life, it goes in the pile.
Here’s the truth: you can always make more money, but you can never make more time. Once a moment is gone, it’s gone forever. That’s why you have to be wise about how you spend it.
Now, this isn’t about being cold or selfish. It’s about being clear. The same way you wouldn’t throw your money at everything, don’t throw your time at everything either. Choose where your attention goes. Every time you waste it on something that doesn’t matter, you miss the chance to give it to something that does.
Think about it. Someone sends you a long, emotional message full of drama. Do you really need to get involved? If not, gently drop it in the pile. No need to argue or explain. Just move on.
Maybe you feel like jumping into a heated online debate. Ask yourself, “Is this really worth it?” If not, toss it in the pile.
Here’s another one—traffic. Let’s say you’re driving and someone cuts you off, or drives way too slow in front of you, and you feel that urge to honk, yell, or chase them down in your head. But stop and ask: is this really worth my time and mood? Getting angry won’t change the traffic. It won’t make the other driver smarter. It’ll just steal your peace. So take a deep breath, let it go, and drop it in the pile. You’ve got better things to think about.
Or maybe you’ve been holding on to something someone said years ago. It still bothers you, but it’s not helping you grow. Let it go. Into the pile it goes.
Having this pile doesn’t mean you avoid responsibilities or ignore important things. It just means you’re clearing out the clutter so you can focus on what actually matters. Things like your dreams. Your relationships. Your health. Your growth. Your purpose.
So go ahead and start building your “Not Worth My Time” pile. Be kind. Be calm. But be firm.
Every time you drop something in that pile, you make space for something better. And that’s how you create a lighter, freer, more meaningful life—one smart choice at a time.
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