Focusing on What Matters

... muses about return on energy (ROE)

My neighbors are putting me to shame. Each has a front porch decked out in Halloween pumpkins, ghosts poking up through the manicured orange mums, and gigantic spider webs draped across their raked lawns. On my leaf-riddled front steps sits a single, uncarved pumpkin.

After only a little bit of envy at the time and energy my neighbors have for decorating, I decide not to decorate with the latest spooky adornments. I prioritize my time and energy in other ways. Unless one of my kids wants to decorate the yard, I am not jumping on that Halloween hayride.

There are definitely things in life that I let go—I don’t have the time or energy to keep up with the Joneses. I don’t have a finely decorated home. My hair is not nicely coiffed. There are currently unwashed dishes in my sink.

But what I do have is time to write each day. Time to exercise each day. And a meal with my family each day. These are activities that are in line with my long-term career, health, and relationship goals. I’ll take those things any day over a manicured lawn or a kitchen out of Better Homes and Gardens.

A book I read earlier this fall said I should always think about the return on investment (ROI) of each activity before I embark on said activity. And “investment” can mean both time and energy, but I think the key is energy. We all have the same amount of time, but not the same amount of energy. So, I am choosing to think of the return on energy (ROE) of each activity. I ask myself, is this something that drags me down and wears me out? Or is this something that energizes me?

For me, writing almost always has a positive ROE. The same goes for exercise—even if it does take a bit of mental effort to put on my tennis shoes and move. I feel better after I’m done.

On the other hand, seasonal shopping has a negative ROE. The crowds, the spending, the consumerism, and the thought of what all that stuff does to our environment stresses me out. As does the understanding that I have to deal with all that stuff once it enters my home.

I have a single box of Halloween decorations, with no room for more.

Let the Joneses decorate with plastic blow-up pumpkins. I will watch my youngest carve our single pumpkin, make some chili, light some candles, and enjoy the little ones who come to my door—and maybe get those dishes washed as we wait for the next group of trick-or-treaters.

Please leave a comment about things that have a positive ROE for you. Happy Halloween, Everyone!