Hindsight, Opportunity Cost, and Mr. Regret

Aaron Blumer

Editor’s note: Reposted from 2023, comments included. Comments are still open if you have any thoughts to add.

I was engaging in a bit of year-end reflection the other day. As usual, since reaching age 50 or so, my reflections quickly began to leap back multiple years, and then decades. And also as usual, my old friend Mr. Regret stopped in for a visit.

Don’t get the wrong idea. This is not a “negative” post. I’ve learned that Mr. Regret can only visit for as long as I let him. His visits might be more frequent now, but they’re shorter.

Discussion

The Problem with Our Productivity Obsession

Filings

“ ‘Time is the most precious resource I have. I need to make the most of it.’ He looked at me like I had two heads. ‘No it’s not,’ he replied. ‘What about your health? Your family? Your faith and knowledge of the Scriptures?’ Oh, right. That stuff.” - TGC

Discussion

How To Say “No”

Filings

“until we start staying no to some things, we’ll never have time to pursue the really important things.” - Phil Cooke

Discussion

Student POV: Developing Effective Time Management as a College Student

Filings

“Blaming a busy schedule for one’s failure in time management is tempting, but if students are honest, they will admit that they could use their time better…. Implementing manageable routines into your day and understanding key concepts is a start to efficiently managing your time.” - MBU

Discussion

Rest Takes Work

Filings

“My planning had gone as far as to block the time off but not as far as to figure out what I would do instead. I freed up a solid 40 hours between 9 and 5, but didn’t put anything in its place.” - Challies

Discussion

On Sleep

Filings

“Some years ago I decided to adopt a lifestyle that prioritized getting enough sleep. Decades later, I’m more confident every day that it was the right choice.” - Olinger

Discussion

A Week to Reflect

Paul J. Scharf

This is the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day and, through the years, I have learned how valuable this time at the end of the year really is. It allows us to evaluate and to look forward. While we can never truly plan the future (Jas. 4:13-14), attempting to prepare for it can be a wonderfully enriching experience.

Discussion