April 20, 2024 • 4 mins
More memories means more time. Find out how (and why) to make today stand out.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Good morning, This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is to plan a mini adventure into your day.
A few years ago, I came across a great quote
from Alan Burdick in his book Why Time Flies. He
wrote that very often when we remark how did time
fly by so quickly, what's actually meant is some version
(00:26):
of I don't remember where the time went. Memories and
time are closely related. When time isn't memorable, we don't
remember it. When time is memorable, we do remember it,
and that can make us feel like we have more time.
I saw this relationship in action when I had nine
(00:47):
hundred busy people track their time for a day a
few years ago from my book Off the Clock. I
asked them questions about how they felt about their time.
I found that the people with the most abundant perspective
on time were highly likely to have done something very memorable.
On the March Monday, I had them track. One woman
went to salsa dancing lessons. Somebody else went to a
(01:08):
big band concert on a Monday night. Now this might
seem like a bit of a paradox that going to
a big band concert might make you feel like you
have more time. After all, Buying tickets creates something of
an obligation. You have to go do something rather than
just crash on the couch. So this should make you
feel like you have less time, right, But time isn't
(01:32):
that simple. Time moves at different paces depending on how
we interact with it. Our perception of any given length
of time is shaped by how many memories we have
of that length of time. This is why the first
day of a vacation somewhere exotics seems very long. Your
brain has no idea what it needs to remember, so
(01:52):
it's remembering all of it. More memories means more time.
An evening spent on the couch is an particularly memorable,
so we don't remember it. That time disappears as if
it doesn't exist. Too many days like this, and whole
years can disappear into memory sinkholes. Time ceases to be
(02:13):
a rich tapestry and feels more like a slick linoleum floor. Obviously,
it's not feasible to go to big band concerts every night,
but it is possible to do something to make each
day memorable, so we're more likely to remember it. In
the Jewish tradition, before the passover meal, the youngest person
(02:34):
at the table asks why is tonight different from all
other nights? For passover, the answer is clear, it's a
holiday and you're celebrating a defining event and extended family history.
But you can ask this question of any day. Why
is today different from all other days? Indeed, let's ask
this for today. How is today going to be different
(02:57):
from other days? Take some time to think think about this.
What many adventure could you plan into today so that
today stands out in memory. Your adventure doesn't have to
be expensive or time consuming. You might grab lunch with
a new group of people from work. You might take
a walk through a nearby park to perk yourself up.
(03:18):
In the afternoon. You might stop at an intriguing store
you see as you walk back to your apartment. You
might catch a week night movie or take your kids
to a playground after dinner. Rather than going through the
usual march of bath and bed. But plan in some
little adventure, and as you're having your adventure, pause to
(03:40):
note that it's happening. Really, take everything in. This will
make your memories deeper, and really, in the end, memories
are all we have. In the meantime, this is Laura.
Thanks for listening and here's to making the most of
our time. Hey everybody, I'd love to hear from you.
(04:05):
You can send me your tips, your questions, or anything else.
Just connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at
Before Breakfast Pod. That's b E the number four then
Breakfast Pod. You can also shoot me an email at
Before Breakfast Podcast. At iHeartMedia dot com that Before Breakfast
(04:26):
is spelled out with all the letters. Thanks so much,
I look forward to staying in touch.
Good morning, This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is to plan a mini adventure into your day.
A few years ago, I came across a great quote
from Alan Burdick in his book Why Time Flies. He
wrote that very often when we remark how did time
fly by so quickly, what's actually meant is some version
(00:26):
of I don't remember where the time went. Memories and
time are closely related. When time isn't memorable, we don't
remember it. When time is memorable, we do remember it,
and that can make us feel like we have more time.
I saw this relationship in action when I had nine
(00:47):
hundred busy people track their time for a day a
few years ago from my book Off the Clock. I
asked them questions about how they felt about their time.
I found that the people with the most abundant perspective
on time were highly likely to have done something very memorable.
On the March Monday, I had them track. One woman
went to salsa dancing lessons. Somebody else went to a
(01:08):
big band concert on a Monday night. Now this might
seem like a bit of a paradox that going to
a big band concert might make you feel like you
have more time. After all, Buying tickets creates something of
an obligation. You have to go do something rather than
just crash on the couch. So this should make you
feel like you have less time, right, But time isn't
(01:32):
that simple. Time moves at different paces depending on how
we interact with it. Our perception of any given length
of time is shaped by how many memories we have
of that length of time. This is why the first
day of a vacation somewhere exotics seems very long. Your
brain has no idea what it needs to remember, so
(01:52):
it's remembering all of it. More memories means more time.
An evening spent on the couch is an particularly memorable,
so we don't remember it. That time disappears as if
it doesn't exist. Too many days like this, and whole
years can disappear into memory sinkholes. Time ceases to be
(02:13):
a rich tapestry and feels more like a slick linoleum floor. Obviously,
it's not feasible to go to big band concerts every night,
but it is possible to do something to make each
day memorable, so we're more likely to remember it. In
the Jewish tradition, before the passover meal, the youngest person
(02:34):
at the table asks why is tonight different from all
other nights? For passover, the answer is clear, it's a
holiday and you're celebrating a defining event and extended family history.
But you can ask this question of any day. Why
is today different from all other days? Indeed, let's ask
this for today. How is today going to be different
(02:57):
from other days? Take some time to think think about this.
What many adventure could you plan into today so that
today stands out in memory. Your adventure doesn't have to
be expensive or time consuming. You might grab lunch with
a new group of people from work. You might take
a walk through a nearby park to perk yourself up.
(03:18):
In the afternoon. You might stop at an intriguing store
you see as you walk back to your apartment. You
might catch a week night movie or take your kids
to a playground after dinner. Rather than going through the
usual march of bath and bed. But plan in some
little adventure, and as you're having your adventure, pause to
(03:40):
note that it's happening. Really, take everything in. This will
make your memories deeper, and really, in the end, memories
are all we have. In the meantime, this is Laura.
Thanks for listening and here's to making the most of
our time. Hey everybody, I'd love to hear from you.
(04:05):
You can send me your tips, your questions, or anything else.
Just connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at
Before Breakfast Pod. That's b E the number four then
Breakfast Pod. You can also shoot me an email at
Before Breakfast Podcast. At iHeartMedia dot com that Before Breakfast
(04:26):
is spelled out with all the letters. Thanks so much,
I look forward to staying in touch.
Before Breakfast News
Host
Laura Vanderkam
Show Links
AboutPopular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.