In our daily lives, we often find ourselves making decisions about how to spend our time, energy, and resources. One guiding principle that can help you make smarter choices is this: always think about what you will have to show for something after you do it. This mindset encourages you to weigh the outcomes of your actions and evaluate whether they contribute to your long-term goals, personal growth, or overall well-being.

The Value of Results

When considering any action, ask yourself, “What will I gain from this?” The answer can take many forms, including tangible outcomes, personal satisfaction, or intangible benefits like knowledge or emotional growth. By thinking ahead, you can avoid investing in activities that may feel rewarding in the moment but leave you with nothing substantial afterward.

Let’s look at examples of activities that provide something to show for your time versus those that may not.

Examples of Things With Something to Show

1. Learning a New Skill
   When you dedicate time to learning a new skill, like coding, a musical instrument, or a language, you’re left with a concrete ability that can improve your career prospects, personal satisfaction, or quality of life. For example, after taking a photography course, you’ll not only have a new hobby but also tangible work (photos) to showcase your growth and creativity.
2. Investing in Relationships
   Spending time with family or close friends strengthens bonds and provides emotional support. The result is a network of people who care about you and enrich your life. You have shared memories and experiences that build deeper connections.
3. Exercising
   Committing to regular exercise will leave you with better physical health, more energy, and improved mental well-being. Over time, you’ll also see physical changes like increased muscle strength or better endurance—clear signs of progress from your efforts.
4. Creating Something
   Whether it’s writing a book, building furniture, or painting a picture, creating something leaves you with a tangible outcome. You not only learn through the process but also have a product or achievement that represents your time and hard work. For instance, completing a woodworking project gives you a functional object as well as the pride of creation.

Examples of Things With Nothing to Show

1. Mindless Social Media Scrolling
   We’ve all spent hours scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, only to realize later that the time is gone, and we have nothing to show for it. While social media can be entertaining, excessive use often leads to wasted time, distraction, and little to no lasting value. After a binge of random posts, you’re left with nothing but lost time and maybe a temporary feeling of entertainment.
2. Impulse Shopping
   Buying things on a whim may feel good in the moment, but often leads to regret when you realize you don’t need or even want the items you purchased. Unlike investments in experiences or essential needs, impulsive spending can leave you with little value in return and potentially financial strain. For example, a closet full of clothes you never wear doesn’t bring long-term satisfaction.
3. Engaging in Unnecessary Drama
   Arguing or getting involved in other people’s problems can drain your energy and leave you feeling stressed without any positive outcomes. After participating in drama, you may realize that the time and emotional investment provided nothing in return but frustration and negativity. You have no personal growth, no closer relationships, and no meaningful change to show for it.
4. Procrastination
   Putting off important tasks in favor of short-term distractions leaves you in the same place (or worse) than where you started. For instance, delaying studying for an exam or putting off a work project often results in stress, last-minute efforts, and poorer results. In the end, procrastination offers no rewards and leaves you scrambling to catch up.

Why It Matters

By always thinking about what you will have to show for your actions, you can better manage your time and priorities. This perspective encourages you to focus on actions that yield lasting benefits, whether they are tangible results or intangible rewards like personal growth or stronger relationships.

Additionally, this mindset helps you avoid activities that provide only fleeting satisfaction or distraction but little value in the long run. You can make more intentional choices that align with your goals and well-being.

Conclusion

Life is full of choices, and each action either contributes to or detracts from your future self. Before making decisions, think about what you will have to show for your effort. Are you investing in things that will bring long-term rewards, or are you wasting time on fleeting distractions?

By focusing on actions with positive, lasting outcomes, you’ll create a life filled with accomplishments, meaningful connections, and personal growth. On the flip side, avoiding activities that leave you with nothing to show helps ensure that your time and effort are spent wisely and productively.