The Ask Marilyn Column in last Sunday's Los Angeles Times Parade Magazine had an interesting question and we'd like to share it. It has everything to do with organizing, and creating new habits. We'll post the entire question and answer here, breaking every copyright law known in media. But you can click here to check out Marilyn vos Savant's other archives and her new online headquarters
Question:
"Please settle an argument. My friend believes that if you take a single vitamin, you will be just a little healthier than if you never had taken one. Or if you park a car inside a garage only two or three times, its body will be in better condition than if you hadn’t, even if the difference is so small you can’t see it. His reasoning is that something is always better than nothing. I disagree. What do you think? —Gary Manata, Carlsbad, Calif."
Answer:
"I think he’s wrong. The difference must be large enough to matter in some way—any way—or nothing is “better.” Something has been lost: time. Whether your friend is taking a vitamin or parking his car, he is spending precious time—which is a limited resource—and maybe money. Too many people spend time and money pursuing lots of goals just a little. - Marilyn"
Are you wasting time in your daily life only getting your feet wet persuing your organizational goals? If you followed Marilyn's advise (and ours) how would you feel? Please share, we'd love to hear from you.