Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute

So ... Sunday again. You know what that means! You get some inspiration for the week ahead!
If you're looking for more than the three quotes offered here, you can always check out the whole series through this link.

Get Productive!

"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action."
(Benjamin Disraeli)

Get Happy!

"I can only say that whatever my life and work have been, I'm not envious of anyone-and this is my biggest satisfaction."
(Roman Polanski) 

 

Get Inspired!

"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher."
  (Dalai Lama)

Worry Work

Picture by Brian Rosen

I'm a bit of a worrywart. I try to be carefree and casual, but in the end I can't stop myself from imagining worst case scenarios. The hubby is 20 minutes late? He must have gotten hit by a bus (not an unlikely scenario in China), and of course, if he didn't get killed instantly, he doesn't have a phone and speaks no Chinese, so he's probably in a coma and in a hospital somewhere in the city where I will never find him.
I've gotten better over the years, but it's still difficult to quiet those voices in my head. So I've stopped trying. Now, I just try to calm myself by using my worrying to my advantage.

I know I'm going to worry, there's no going around it. But why do we do it? Maybe because we're afraid of something that is so devastating and unexpected, it would destroy our life. Completely. If something would ever happen to my hubby, I can't imagine what I would do!


Or wait ... . Maybe that's the problem. What if I use this worrying impulse to find out what I would do in case something did happen.
You can use your worst case scenarios in your mind to plan for possible emergencies. Using your worrying instinct this way makes sure that it isn't a complete waste of energy. And you get the reassurance of realizing that, just in case, life wouldn't come to an end if the unthinkable happened.


WARNING: In case you're not someone to worry much, and imagining these scenarios completely freaks you out, take it in small steps (or don't do this at all). It's much less stressing to imagine your undies turning pink due to a red sock in your machine than your house catching fire. But it's good to have a plan in either case.

We worry because we care. And that is all the more reason to make sure we're prepared for any situation that may arise. Doesn't knowing what you should do when the plane goes down make you feel safer already?
What is something you worry about? What would you do if the worst possible scenario came true?

Summer Projects

Picture by Pam Ramsey

If you are like most people (statistically speaking that's very likely), you probably have some hobbies that you loved at some point in your life, but don't really perform anymore. If you're anything like me, you could make a page-long list of former hobbies and interests that you discontinued a couple of months into them.

When I stop doing something I am (or was) really interested in, it's always with the fullest intention to go back to it someday. Someday I'll play harp again. Someday I'll pick up Spanish again (and French, German, Chinese and Italian for that matter). Someday I'll get into dancing again. Sounds familiar?
I think summer (or any season you happen to have an extended holiday) is a great time to relive some of your old passions.

Take 5 minutes to rummage through your attic. Get out those boxes, and dust them off. See if you can rekindle your previous passion, and if not, at least you can cross it off your list of unfulfilled intentions.
Summers carry a risk for me. I don't have to teach (or a lot less) so my days tend to get filled doing rather pointless stuff. An example? Yesterday I spent the entire day watching sitcom episodes, so in the end I had to write a Minutes Worth Hours post 30 minutes before it was due to be published. Not really the way I like to work. 

Finding something different to focus on, especially something that you are excited about but haven't done for a while, is a great way to stay energetic and feel like you're making full use of your time. It's finally the moment you can invest in doing what you love. 
If what you love is lying in the sun and reading a book, that's great! If you love watching the Tour de France, that's awesome! But make sure you choose how you spend your time, don't let it just slip by unnoticed, or in a couple of weeks, you'll wonder where the summer went.

What kind of things do you do on your free summer days? Do you take a lot of time to relax? Do you do stuff you can't do during the year? I always love to get some inspiration for a meaningful way to spend my free time!

Save Electricity by Adaptation

Chinese kids cooling down - Chengdu 2011

I got back from my trip through China last night, and as I arrived in Yantai the heat and humidity got to me pretty much instantly. This city isn't so bad in summer (compared to cities like Beijing and Shanghai), but I'm still only a Belgian girl, so not used to higher temperatures for extended periods of time.

So, as you can probably guess, the air conditioning system is my personal savior at this time. It's not something I am proud of, however. A/C and other cooling systems take up a lot of energy. And all of that just so that I can live at my maximum comfort level? Do I really need it? I've found that if I give my body time, it will adjust to higher or lower temperatures just fine. Therefore, I've started limiting the time I use air conditioning, and how high I put it, so that slowly, over time, I get used to the warmth.

When I visited Los Angeles in 2007 (for the second time) it was the middle of July. It was scorching hot, most of the days. The concrete streets and buildings did nothing to absorb the sun, it only got worse. But it didn't bother me at all. In fact, I was too COLD most of the time. Why? I spent most of my time indoors, in buildings that are kept at a cool 65°F (18°C). Sure, it's nice and cool when you come in, but coming from 100°, a balmy 80° would've sufficed just as well.

So when you get too hot (or too cold in winter) try to adjust the thermostat a couple of degrees in whatever direction that will save energy (and your money). Alternatively, set a timer so that the system is running long enough to cool things down for a bit, but not running while you're out and don't need it.

I hope you all have the luxury of feeling too hot at some time this summer. Enjoy it while it lasts, and remember it's only a couple of months before you'll be wishing you could feel this way again.

Worth Every Minute

Every Wednesday, I share quality information of another great blogger out there on the web.
You can find the complete set of articles here.

This week, the article is about productivity, or rather lack thereof, and one of its reasons. It may be a counter-intuitive one to you, but Jonathan Fields shows that spending every minute keeping up to date with every on-line conversation may be killing your productivity and creativity instead of increasing it.

Creative Kryptonite and the Death of Productivity by Jonathan Fields.

This may be the reason people can get such a boost from going to places where they are completely disconnected from the social media, and have no opportunity to 'stay in touch' 24/7.

MWH Travel Tips: 11 - Quarreling Companions

Me and my sister - China, 2010

I have traveled with lots of different people throughout the years. Of course, I started out traveling with my parent and siblings, but I've also traveled with close friends and complete strangers.

Who you travel with doesn't really matter, conflict and irritation are lurking around the corner, no matter what. How come we're so prone to get snappy with travel companions? Even if they're are closest friends and family? I think it has to do with the fact that when traveling, you're forced to compromise on so much more than in your daily life.

Take couples, for example, who may think that living together requires a lot of compromise (it does). When you're traveling, you pretty much have to agree on everything except for what food you order. And in China, even that is something you share!

So how can you avoid conflict and make the journey a positive one throughout? Of course, keeping in mind that the trip is only temporary, may be enough to keep you at ease. But if it isn't, here are 5 more tips on traveling with others:

1. Adjust your expectations. If you're traveling with someone you know, you can guess at what this person will enjoy doing/eating, and what they will most likely try to avoid. Knowing what to expect will help you be more accepting of demands that may require you to compromise.
   
2. Don't let it fester. While traveling for six weeks with a friend, we both found ourselves getting snappier and snappier, and the irritation and discontent between the two of us built up quickly.
   Then, while on a subway ride, we started talking about it. We expressed what we were feeling and could each understand what we could do better to avoid future problems. The conversation after we cleared the air was so pleasant that we actually missed our stop.
   
3. Get enough sleep. Irritation often stems from being too tired. Traveling is a tiresome experience, make no mistake! I don't care if you're hiking 7 hours a day, or lying on the beach from sunrise to sunset, new impressions take a toll on your brain and you'll feel more tired than during your normal routine work days.
   When someone is getting a little cranky, make sure they have enough sleep at night (and do the same for yourself). There's no point partying all night if you'll be fighting the next day.
   
4. Do something thoughtful. Be considerate of your fellow travelers. Look out for needs you know how to fulfill. Think they could use a cup of coffee? Suggest going to a café. Keep in mind that the quality of YOUR trip depends on the quality of the group. Which depends on the energy and emotions of every individual in that group.
   
5. Take time out. When things get too up close and personal, don't feel afraid to take some time off. Sit in your hotel room for a bit, or take a walk by yourself. Just make sure to let your companions know where you're going and when you'll be back. Even the most gregarious among us may need these breaks from time to time, to organize their thoughts and relax their mind.

How do you experience traveling with others? Have you ever gotten into a fight with a fellow traveler? Any other advice you could give would be welcome!

MWH Travel Tips: 10 - Your Suitcase is Your Home

Picture by Frits Ahlefeldt-Laurvig

Your backpack or suitcase, or whatever you use to carry your stuff around, is your home for the time being. It carries all your belongings, and you should treat it with the same care and respect you would treat your home. Why does it matter? It makes your travel experience much nicer!

We've all rummaged through our suitcases at one point or another, looking for something we know is there ... somewhere. And when you can't immediately find it, you get worried. "Did I leave it somewhere? Did I forget to pack it? Did it get stolen?"

Apart from feeling anxiety, doing all this searching also takes up time that could be spent better, especially on a trip!

When you're packing your bag, try to not only think of how to stuff as much as possible in as little space as possible, but also of how you stuff it. Keep clothes of a similar nature together. Find a logical and safe spot for electronics (chargers, laptop) and books. 
And when you need to repack the next time you move? Do it the same way. That way you're sure everything will fit in as well. 


Take care of the things in your bag. Just because you're traveling, you don't need to scrunch up your clothes and stuff them in a corner. You can still fold them and place them neatly in the suitcase. Even for backpacks this is possible (I do it all the time).

This makes packing and repacking your bag each time, a breeze. You develop a system that reduces the time you spend packing to a couple of minutes each time. Totally worth the lack of anxiety over forgetting stuff!

Structure is something we tend to lose along the way, but it can be just the thing you need to keep it all together when traveling. It provides safety and stability in an otherwise unpredictable and uncontrollable environment.

Do you have a system for packing? Does it last throughout the trip? Or does your suitcase look like a messy attic instead of a neat closet by the time you get home?

Triple Inspiration: Kahlil Gibran Edition

It's Sunday again! The beginning of a new week beckons. Ready to be inspired to make the most out of every moment? You've come to the right place!

Every Sunday is Triple Inspiration Day here on MWH. You get three quotes that have taught me something valuable, and I hope they can do the same for you.  Today, the author of all of them is the famous philosopher and author Kahlil Gibran.
You can find the whole series of Triple Inspiration. through this link.

So, without further ado, here they are:

Get Productive!

 A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.
(Kahlil Gibran)

Get Happy!

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”

(Kahlil Gibran)

Get Inspired!

"The significance of a man is not in what he attains but in what he longs to attain."
(Kahlil Gibran)

MWH Travel Tips: 9 - Write a Postcard

(source)

In my youth, vacations were inextricably connected to postcards. We sent them and we got them. It was considered a common courtesy to send postcards to immediate family and close friends, and it was a joy to receive pictures from all over the world showing you where your family and friends had been that summer.

Nowadays, it seems that the postcard is slowly becoming extinct. There could be several reasons for this: It's expensive, it takes time, it wastes paper. All of these are good reasons not to send a postcard.
But do you know what's a great reason to make the effort anyways? They're AWESOME!

I've bought postcards of places only to remember them and show them to other people. I've even used them as classroom gifts! They're very popular and they last much longer than printed photo's because of how sturdy they are.

Sending a postcard doesn't necessarily have to take a lot of time or cost a lot of money. Before you leave on a trip, get a piece of paper and write down the names and addresses of people you would like to send a card to (or bring your address book). When you find cards somewhere, just buy a bunch together (usually cheaper).
At a quiet moment, write down a name and address on every card. When you've done that, you  can write messages on them whenever you have time. See a postal office? Buy some stamps, put them on the cards, and drop them off.

It's easy and your friends/family will love it.

Alternatively, if you don't want to spend any money, you're too late to send a card or the country you're in doesn't have postcards (hello China!), you could find a picture of the place you're traveling in, and send an email. Generic messages work, but try to change them a little and send individual emails. Blogs are better than group emails.

So what are your feelings toward greeting cards? Do you love them? Hate them? Do you ever send/receive any? I really wonder if this is a fading phenomenon. What do you think?

MWH Travel Tips: 8 - Do It While You Can

Picture by Dani Lurie

When you're traveling, there's no real knowing where you might end up or what's going to come next, so I want to advise you to use every opportunity you may get.
The most important example? Using the bathroom!

When you're traveling in developing countries, hygiene is a constant worry. Thus, finding a clean bathroom while traveling in South China, is an opportunity not to be wasted. Just go! Even if you don't feel like it.
But the same goes for other things you may find now but not later. See water for a good price? Buy an extra bottle. See some fruit? Get it now. Use a nice spot to sit down and relax, even if you're not that tired yet. You don't know when the next one will come up.

But mostly the bathroom thing!

 We are often so used to waiting until we get back to a comfortable, familiar place to do certain things, that we don't take advantage of finding such a place when traveling. "Just keep an eye out for them," is all I'm saying.

MWH Travel Tips: 7 - Split Your Cash

Picture by Christian Newton

Traveling can be a risky endeavor when you need to carry large amounts of cash, and you often do. When traveling to remote locations that don't have any big banks, you need to carry your capital on you to be safe. So how do you prevent pick pockets from stealing?

There's lots of small things you can do, like keep your money on your body, or hold on tight to your purse. But the best thing you can do is make sure you're okay EVEN if they do get you.

I suggest splitting your money into smaller portions, and keeping it in different spots. Keep a bit in your bag, a bit in your pockets, divide it over the different members of your traveling party.

How much should be in one spot? It depends, on how much you think is okay to lose at once, and how much money you have to keep on you. 
The safest spot to keep money is probably on your body. I put some cash in almost every pocket I have (if I have any). It'll take a lot for me not to notice someone going through ALL my pockets. 
I've found hotel rooms to be quite safe as well, and things like in between your clothes in your backpack. Put it in an inconspicuous spot.

Have you ever lost money to a pickpocket before? How did it happen? I've been fortunate so far. I have however lost large amounts of money because it fell out of my pocket while I was trying on clothes at a shop. Let that be another warning!

Worth Every Minute: Travel Edition

Every Wednesday, you can read the awesomeness of another author on the web through the Worth Every Minute series on MWH. As we are traveling around China while this gets posted, the article of today is also travel related.


Living in China is great, but it won't make you rich. Living in China, luckily, is very cheap, but traveling in China isn't. That means that we have to make do with little money. Also, we love to save wherever we can.


The article for today offers 50 tips on how to do just that: save money when traveling.


Enjoy!

50 Budget Travel Tips and Save Money on Vacations from Moneying.com

Any more advice on how to save money while traveling? I'm always interested to find out new and nifty ways of saving a buck or two.

MWH Travel Tips: 6 - Delete Your Pictures

Picture by Nimble Photography

It's a disease of the new age: holiday snaps that pile up on your computer endlessly. And let's admit it, do you ever get to going through all of them and selecting the best ones to put in a nice album? Well, we don't. Usually, it takes us months, sometimes years, to start organizing all those pictures.

One of the ways we've found to limit the amount of pictures to sort out, is by going through our camera at various times during the trip. This can be on the train or bus, waiting in the airport, or while our food is being served.

I suggest you go through your pictures as often as you can. We often get caught up in thinking that every picture we take is an invaluable memory, but remember those trips you took where two rolls of film was all you had? Now, does it seem like you have less memories from that trip because you took less pictures? Of course not! Your memory may be less vivid because of how long ago the trip was, but the pictures play no role in that.

Deleting your pictures as you go along will also help you save space on your flash card, although nowadays that's not such a big issue anymore. It will make a difference when it comes to videos though.

The major advantage is the experience of going through your pictures when you go home, however. Now, you only have to look through the good pictures, and choose which ones of those to keep. Or, just keep them all!

Going through your pictures while on the trip, is a great way to enjoy the pleasures of that day again. You get to relive the experience and discuss it with your travel companion(s) or the people you meet. Traveling becomes a more intense and rewarding experience.

MWH Travel Tips: 5 - Ask the Locals

When you're traveling, you want to relax and have a good time. Maybe you would like to enjoy a nice dinner out, visit a great pub, see a show of some kind.

Guide books can help you find these little hot spots, but they may not be as up to date as another great source of information that is ALWAYS available: the people around you.

No matter where you are, if you are staying in a hotel/hostel in a medium sized city, chances are someone there will speak a little bit of English. If they don't, it always helps to have some phrases you may need ready. Write them down on a piece of paper in both your language and the language of the destination. Otherwise, hands and feet can be incredibly useful when used in a versatile manner!

Ask the staff of the hotel where they would go for: a cheap meal, a celebration dinner, a fun night out, some relaxing time or a good beer. Make sure your source understands that you're not looking for the tourist hot spots per se, you just want to find whatever place they would frequent. 

Apart from finding what you want, it can also be a great way to get to know the culture of the place a little better.
Ask your contact to write down a favorite dish of theirs, for example (first make sure it's not an animal part that will make you gag), or ask them to recommend a local beer. 

When you're staying in a place, keep in mind that your hotel/hostel personnel can have more than one function for you. Not only are they there to provide you with whatever you may require hotel/hostel wise, they are also just people that work and maybe live close by where you happen to be staying all year round and have the most recently updated information. You can't beat, Lonely Planet!

Triple Inspiration: Travel Edition

Every Sunday I give you three quotes that may inspire you for the week to come. You could write them down, or read them from time to time. Or you can just forget about them all together. I'm giving you a choice, it's yours to make.
The whole series of Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute can be found here.

Get Productive!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
(Mark Twain)

Get Happy!

 “All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.”
(Samuel Johnson)

Get Inspired!

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
(Henry Miller)

MWH Travel Tips: 4 - Wash Along the Way

Picture by Phillip Collier

This is a tip I got from my mother on our last trip together. We traveled through China as well, and hiked for part of the trip. Because we were moving around so much and had to walk carrying our bags quite often, it was key that we packed lightly.

One of the ways my mom could limit the amount of clothes she brought with her, was by showering in them.

When you take your evening (or afternoon) shower, take the clothes you're wearing, the ones that are dirty, in the shower with you. While you wash, also rub some body soap or shampoo (great for stains coming from greasy skin and sweat) into the clothes. Make sure you rinse them out with very hot water and roll them up in a towel after you finish wringing them out. 


You can leave your clothes to dry in the hotel room/tent/hostel. Wherever you are, I'm sure there's a spot available somewhere. 
Once dry, you can either wear them again, or store them away until you get home. They'll stay cleaner and you can avoid nasty smells. 

I don't suggest doing this instead of a regular washing cycle on your machine, but it's sufficient for traveling when you need to pack lightly.

As an added tip: Rubbing your knuckles together is a great way to imitate an old fashion wash board for those difficult stains!

MWH Travel Tips: 3 - Impression Diary

Keeping a travel journal can be quite a bit of work. Writing down a full overview of the day each night is not something I associate with taking a break. Writing is my work, although I love it (and couldn't NOT do it), I don't like to feel obligated. So I keep a small notebook with me, to jot down impressions whenever I feel like it.

My travel notebook.

I suggest you buy a notebook that you like, or find one that you already have but stopped using (if you're like me, there are about 20 of these around in your house somewhere).
Keep it in your daily backpack, with a pen/pencil close by or attached to it. 
Whenever you see something remarkable, or get a sudden moment of inspiration, write down a little note to remind yourself of it. What do you see? Why is it so remarkable? How does it make you feel? It only takes a couple of minutes to jot down the essentials.

You can use these notes to write journal posts later, making it easier to know what to write about, or to add to your photo-album later as anecdotes and explanatory comments. 
You may find that the optional nature of these notes makes you far more likely to write them down. And if you don't, there's no need to feel guilty, since they were optional to begin with!

Do you keep a travel journal? Do you blog while you're on the road? Why or why not?
I find that having a computer with me just leaves me out of touch with being out of touch.

MWH Travel Tips: 2 - Packing Checklist

(Source)

Today, my hubby, my sister and me left on our two-week trip here in China. We didn't forget anything! How? Because of a great packing checklist.

When packing my bags for a trip or traveling, I usually make a checklist. Not a very long one, just something for me to go over to make sure I have all the necessities. It does help you not to forget some things, although you may just forget putting them on the checklist, and then it doesn't really do you any good.

So while I'm making the checklist, I try to mentally go through a day on the holiday, from the moment I wake up, to the moment I go to sleep. I imagine what I'm wearing, carrying and doing at those times. It helps me keep in mind what I need at each moment, and write that on the list. 

 Another great aid is the downloaded or on-line checklist. This is a good example. You can print them off and just add what you need. 

Stuff I would have forgotten but didn't because of doing this: cutlery set (useful in China), chargers for phones/Kindle, sunscreen, summer hat, band-aids, etc. We do quite a bit of hiking when possible, so there are a few things we need on trips that we normally don't use.

What's a must-have for you on trips? Anything you forget to pack on a regular basis? Feel free to warn others in the comments!

Worth Every Minute

It's Wednesday today, which means that I share with you something I found inspiring to read myself.
Today, I've selected for you a ZenHabits post of a while ago. In it, Leo Babauta talks about the lessons he has learned during his life so far.

They are 38 little gems of wisdom. Some are quite self-evident, some are new and inspiring, some I just disagree with. But I'm convinced there's something worthwhile for all of you in there. If you can prove me wrong, please do!

So, without further ado, the link to the post:

ZenHabits's 38 Life Lessons I Have Learned in 38 Years by Leo Babauta.

Let me know if you have enjoyed this post as much as I have!

MWH Travel Tips: 1 - Home Checklist

We'll be traveling to many wonderful places, returning on the 27th. I packed all the necessities yesterday, and unfortunately, the computer wasn't one of them. That means that for the next two weeks, you'll be reading updates that are pre-scheduled. This does mean that I won't be able to respond to comments. But don't let that stop you! I'd love to read tons and tons when I get back, and reply to them!

Because I won't be the only one traveling this summer, I'm sure, I've prepared some travel related Minutes Worth Hours for yo. Regular Wednesday and Sunday series will still run.

Today, I start with number one: the home checklist.

Going on a trip means our apartment will be unattended for two weeks. (I feel safe saying this here, since most thieves won't fly all the way to China for some clothes and chipped plates, I'm sure).
Since we like to save as much energy as possible during that time, and keep our apartment in the best condition possible in this humid weather, we usually prepare a checklist to go through before we lock the door.

• Think of all the appliances that are usually on in your house (or plugged in) that you don't really need. Can you disconnect any of the them?
  
• Is there something that you could store away to keep it safer? Our computers are an example of this. During these humid months, I like to store them on top of some rice-filled cloth that can absorb any moisture in the vicinity.
  
• Which plants/animals require care? Have you made arrangements for this? Don't forget to water plants before you leave.
  
• Leave a spare key with a trusted friend. Just in case you lose your baggage, or run into a pick-pocket, you have a back-up plan.
  
• Disconnect the gas. Turn off the boiler(s). Turn off your power strips. This is all quite self-evident.
  
• We try to make sure all the doors in the apartment are open, so that air can circulate and prevent mold. This is especially important for bathrooms and kitchens! But it also goes for the fridge/freezer if you've decided to empty it and unplug it. It will prevent mold from growing inside.

As you can see, there's plenty to think about before you leave your home. To make sure you don't pass out on these money-savers or time-savers, make a checklist that you can always go back to before you leave your home for an extended period of time. You'll thank yourself later!

Make a Promise ... and Keep It!

I am often tempted to go back on my plans. I'll plan to go out with a friend, but when push comes to shove, I think how great it would be to stay at home and just relax, not have to go outside, not have to dress properly, no expectations. It's so bad that I actually feel somewhat relieved when plans fall through, as if I was dreading something that's supposed to be fun. Used to drive my friends crazy!

It's not because I don't like going out. When I do go out, I have a great time, and I'm so happy I went. Maybe it's because I'm rather introvert and usually thrive when I'm alone with my Kindle or a blank notebook.
Either way, it just won't do! I'm missing out on not just stuff, but the stuff of life: Meeting other people in the real world, experiencing new things, enjoying the moment. I need those experiences not only to be happy, but to be a good writer too.

My solution? An elegant one: Promise to go.

Picture by Ditatompel

Making promises has fallen into disfavor. These days, we avoid them at all costs, because they make us accountable for circumstance, right? I mean, sure, I want to go out, but I just really have to work tonight, it's not my fault! 
Yes, it is.

A promise is unbreakable. It should not be used lightly, that's true, but it should be used from time to time. A true promise creates a bond of expectation between two people. It raises the stakes of the relationship. At this time of cynicism and individualism, that's something we've nearly lost. When a promise is kept, it enhances feelings of trust and connection between two people, when it's not kept, it decreases the degree of trust. 
Is that a risk you're willing to take? For me it is, because the pay-off can be great, and whether or not the pay-off happens, is up to me. If I really want to, I can keep every promise I make (because I AM careful to make ones I know I can keep). 

Raise the stakes on your relationships from time to time. They're worth it! It's the perfect antidote for the modern day complacency. Don't worry, you can always start small. "I promise to do the dishes if you cook" is popular in our house.

Do you usually keep promises? What kind of promises do you make?
I'll be the first to admit I don't keep every promise I make, but I keep most, which gives me some credit in case I break one from time to time.

Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute

Every Sunday is Triple Inspiration day here on Minutes Worth Hours. You get three quotes to guide you through the week and inspire you, make you happier and more productive.

You can find the full series here.

Get Productive!

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
(Will Rogers)

Get Happy!

"I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them.
(John Stuart Mills)

Get Inspired!

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."
(Shakespeare - Hamlet)

Pay Right Away

Picture by Darren Kidd

The only thing bills are good for, is making you feel responsible when you pay them. Apart from that, all they do is cause headaches and anxiety. That's not something you want to deal with often, is it? So don't.
In our house, we have no bills coming in because everything is paid on the go. Yes, that includes electricity. But when we were living in Belgium it was different, of course.

What I tried there was to pay each bill as soon as it came in, and then shred it. Usually, they got picked up from the mailbox on the way home. Then it was just a matter of getting my e-banking going and voila.

Some people may try to do all their bills at one time every month, but that can be a bit of a financial surprise too. When you have all the money gone in one big chunk, perhaps it's more difficult in the weeks before that to estimate how much you can really spend.

When you've picked up a stack of bills, just turn on your computer and surf to your e-banking platform right away. Set up the payments and you're done. Now, shred the bills and never think about them again. What's done is done. You can't get the money back, so there's no need worrying about it. 
The one exception is a bill that was way too high and could have been prevented (phone-bill anyone?). In that case, it may serve as a reminder to put it up somewhere noticeable. 

One more bit of advice: if your bank gives you a percentage on how much is in your checking account, you can set up a delayed payment so as to get the most out of that. Just make sure you have enough money in your account when the payment goes through. And keep in mind the first paragraph: if all the money is transfered at the same time, it may be difficult to plan your purchases.

I like money, but I'm not too keen on doing all the financial stuff. Still, in our family, I'm the one who deals with the finances, so I would rather have it over and done with quickly. 
But the main advantage of paying right away, is that there's no risk of forgetting and having to pay the overdue fees.

Five 1-Minute Time Savers

Picture by Elliott Brown

Time is the one resource we can never get more of. Eventually, it will run out, and we won't have a chance to get to back or to buy some extra, no matter what common expressions my say.

The idea of 'saving time' is actually quite odd as well. It's not like we can take some time, put it in a bank, and withdraw when we need it most. Time is not money.

But what we can do, is try to use our time as efficiently and carefully as possible, thus creating limiting the time we spend on activities that don't really matter to us. On this blog, there are some ideas on how to do this, and below you can find the 5 best ones.

1. Keep stuff in the same spot. At all times, keep your things in a designated location. Even if it's something that you use often, like a phone, try to give it a certain location in every room. For example: in the office it should be on your desk, in the kitchen next to the fridge, etc. Then, even if you don't know which room it's in, you limit the places you have to look for it.
   Read the post on keeping your keys in one place here.
   
2. Write lists. Lists are a good way to use your time more efficiently because you've basically done the thinking before the doing, thus focusing on each of those two in turn instead of trying to do both at the same time. A good example of a list that can save you tons of time is a grocery list, but it also goes for checklists when you pack or when you're working.
   
3. Clean up as you go. Clearing stuff away is one of those things that takes up time depending on the kind of person you are. Messy people have to spend a lot more time on this because of the magical way in which stuff just seems to fill up their space. It seems difficult to control, but it isn't. You just try to remind yourself to put everything you touch back in its designated spot. Taking off your clothes? Put them on a hanger in the closet or toss them in the laundry.
   Mind you, in certain situations this may ruin a perfectly good moment. On these occasions, use your better judgment.
   This post gives you more info on putting things away when you're finished with them.
   
4. Make activities shorter. Some things we do don't really require as much time as we take for them. How long do you really need to talk on the phone? Or be in the shower? Do you really want to spend your time slowly meandering through the supermarket?
   Try to do some of these things a little faster to save a couple of minutes. They will add up to give you time to do something you enjoy.
   
5. Give up a big time waster. Stuff that wastes time is something you do that doesn't really mean that much to you, but that just kind of makes time go by. We all have these activities. It could be reading a magazine, watching TV or surfing the web. It's the kind of stuff that makes you feel a little 'blah' after, and in hind sight turns the day into one of those days in which nothing really happened.
   We gave up facebook and TV so far. What would you give up?

What do you do to save time? How important is it to you? What would you do with an hour extra each day? Let's share some of our ideas with each other!

From Guest Room to Hotel in 5 Minutes

Yay! My sister has finally arrived here in China! She'll be staying with us for a week, and then we'll travel around for about two weeks (more on that you'll find on July 12th).

She's not the first to stay with us, which you may have guessed after the Couchsurfing post, but she's of course one of our favorite guests. Guests in our house sleep in the guest room, and I do try to make them feel extra welcome and extra comfortable. One of the quick ways to do this is by dressing up the room with tiny extras that make it feel like a hotel.

Look through your house to see if you can find a nice basket or box. Anything that doesn't look too messy and can hold a few small items. 
Then, find something to fill the basket with. If you pick up the tiny bottles from hotels (I'm a sucker for tiny bottles), then put those in there. How about a pack of tissues, or a piece o soap? 
I also put a pillow on the bed and a pair of slippers for our guests to use (we don't allow shoes in the house, it's an Asian practice we've adopted for cleanliness reasons (outside-China is much dirtier than outside-Belgium or outside-US!).
Also add some mints to your basket, or put a piece of chocolate on the pillow.

Make sure the bed is made and looks neat. If there's a closet, try to open up some space and put a couple of spare coat hangers in there. 


And for the final touch ... put a guest book next to the bed, so that your guests can write how much they appreciated your effort. You deserve it!

Chances are, your guest(s) won't feel the need to use what you put out there, or at least not all of it. Still, it's nice for them to walk into a room that's so welcoming. It shows how much you want them to be there and to feel comfortable.

Any more tips on how to make guests feel extra welcome and extra comfortable?

Worth Every Minute

Every Wednesday, I search for the best advice or inspirational information available on the web, to share with you, my readers. They can be blog posts, articles or videos, that have inspired me in some way or another. The whole series can be found here.

The first in my series, is a blog post by Scott Young that takes an interesting view on figuring out what you want to do with your life. It's a question I struggled to answer myself for a very long time. I feel I now know what I want to do, but I'm aware my choices might change later in the future. My hubby still struggles with this question, so this is for all of you who do.

What do you want to do with your life, by Scott Young.

I hope you enjoy the article, and feel free to share your opinions in the comments here or on Scott's blog.

Have a Mini-Concert

Classical music is not something everyone enjoys, but many of us do. Strangely enough, even if we enjoy it, we don't always listen to it. The same goes for jazz. I, for one, love jazz, but I rarely put it on. Why is that?
For me, classical music and jazz are so much better live than on a recording. But when do I have the opportunity to hear either? Not very often.
So, I have no choice but to settle for the recording.

Choose a piece of classical music (or any kind of music, for that matter) that you find inspiring. Find a place where you can relax and be undisturbed for the time it takes you to listen to this composition. You may want to be alone, or you could share the mini-concert with your friends and family. 

Lean/sit back and focus on the tones. Let your mind follow the beats and tones of the music. Give it your full, undivided attention, just as you would if you were sitting in a concert hall looking at the orchestra.
Imagine the music is literally going through you and carrying you. I find this is such a powerful image that it can make me laugh or cry depending on the melody and rhythm.

I've included below a video of one of my favorite pieces of all time: The Adagio of the Concierto De Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo.

I do urge you to not let yourself get distracted by what you see, but to focus on what you hear. Our eyes are busy enough during the day. They deserve a break!

What's your favorite piece of music? Do you enjoy listening to classical music or prefer popular music?

Always Call First

Picture by David Baron

Since the invention of the telephone, and later on the mobile epidemic, there's really no excuse for arriving anywhere unannounced. That doesn't mean you can't be spontaneous, it's just common courtesy.

I like when my friends call me to let me know they're coming over. I don't want the doorbell ringing when I'm in the middle of a shower, or, worse, an intense writing session.

But it's not just the polite thing to do, it also saves time.

When you go to a restaurant, do you usually make a reservation? I do it for most of the restaurants I go to, even if it's only half an hour before we arrive. I call to make sure there are seats available, and to give the people time to get our table ready.
When we then arrive, they just have to lead us up to our table. It's so much nicer than waiting around for half an hour until the other customers are hastily chased through their last cup of coffee. I've worked in a restaurant before, that is how it goes!

When it comes to visiting a friend, announcing your visit can give your friend time to get some stuff ready. I make sure to have some space cleared, for example, or to get some drinks and snacks ready. It's not a big deal, but it does make the welcome seem more ... well ... welcoming.

 So, in short, pick up that phone, and spend the couple of minutes it takes to make a reservation or announce you'll be stopping by. You'll be saving yourself some time and your hosts some inconvenience. If that isn't a win-win, I don't know what is!

Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute

Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute is a new series here on Minutes Worth Hours. Every Sunday, I will give you three quotes to inspire the rest of your week. They could be something to keep in mind, write in your diary, or post on your facebook status update. Whatever you do with them, I hope these sayings will inspire you as much as they have me.

You can find the whole series here.

Get productive!

"If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it." 
(Olin Miller)

Get happy!

"No man is happy who does not think himself so."
( Publilius Syrus)

Get inspired!

 "We must become the change we want to see in the world."
(Gandhi)

Save Time by Doing Double

Hubby's Colorful Cooking

One of the things that takes up a certain amount of time during our day, no matter how much we try to streamline it and make it faster, is cooking.  With cooking, it's mostly the preparations that take up a lot of time, and the time it takes for foods to become tender, especially vegetables.

So I've gotten into the habit of cooking double portions when it's possible. We just put the food in the fridge for the next day, or the day after that, but you could also freeze it.

Cooking double portions of food is as easy as cooking single portions. You just double up on the ingredients, if you normally don't have leftovers. Also make sure your pot is big enough to hold twice the amount of food.

There is, however, one bit of advice which I think is paramount:
When you've finished cooking, remove the second portion BEFORE you start eating!

If you live with a husband like mine, who is a bottomless pit in which all food magically disappears without ever showing up in increased waist-lines, this is of vital importance. My hubby will keep eating, no matter how much food there is!

Naturally, freezing portions for later days, or parts of the meal (like sauces) is also a good way to save time. Making apple sauce for one afternoon can give you a whole set of jars for months to come!

The extra preparation time it takes to cook two portions instead of one, is quite small for most dishes. Unless there's a lot of dicing involved, the difference will be a matter of minutes!