September 05, 2025 | Read Online​

The Magic Question

Invariably, when we have too much on our plates, we disappoint someone. I used to think the worst people to disappoint were my family or friends. More and more, I believe the worst person to disappoint (and the person we most often disappoint) is our future self.

When we have to say no to someone, we say no to ourselves. We end up sacrificing our health, hobbies, happiness, and hopes. This week’s podcast with Chris Ducker really got me thinking about this and how it leads to burnout and breakdowns.

In our trainings and coaching sessions, we sometimes ask the “Magic Question” – What would you do if, starting tomorrow, you magically got 25 hours in your day?

The answers from busy parents, leaders, and entrepreneurs about how they'd use that extra hour tell the tale of our times.

1. By far the most common answer is “sleep.” We crave more rest.
2. Next is exercise – yoga, cycling, swimming, golf, walking outside, and even riding horses. We crave more motion.
3. Many responses include meditation, journaling, creative expression, self-care routines, quiet reflection, and bedtime routines. We crave more calm and clarity.
4. Hobbies and pastimes come next with activities like reading, playing guitar, sewing, gardening, photography, writing, ceramics, flute, and painting. We crave healthy diversions.
5. Time with loved ones – extra time with spouse, kids, adult children, grandkids, and pets. We crave relationships.
6. The final and smallest group would work more. We don’t crave more work, but it is often our default mode.

The Magic Question highlights the gap between what we do and what we long for. Our default mode is to work, catch up, and do tasks. But we long for rest, health, connection, self-care, and creativity.

Awareness is the first step.

One question to ponder in your thinking time: What would you do if, starting tomorrow, you magically got 25 hours in your day?

Make an Impact!
Jay Papasan
​Co-author of The ONE Thing & The Millionaire Real Estate Agent

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