I recently heard a phrase that stopped me in my tracks: “Nothing is wasted.”
Think about how often we say things like, “What a waste of time!” or “That was such a waste.” I know I’ve said it more times than I’d like to admit. And yet, when I sat with this phrase—nothing is wasted—I realized it shifts how we see our choices, our efforts, and even our mistakes.
Because here’s the truth: everything is a choice. How we spend our time, how we use our resources, and how we engage with others—it all adds up. And maybe nothing is truly wasted if we choose to find the value in it.
Rethinking “Wasted” Time
I’ll admit it: I’ve spent an embarrassing number of hours playing Candy Crush since 2017 when my kids introduced me to the addictive swiping and colorful animations. During the Angry Bird phenomenon I remember snootily thinking, “I don’t waste my time playing games on my phone.”
More than once, I’ve been told and even told myself, “What a waste of time!” And sure, at first glance, it’s hard to argue with that. But was it really a waste? Or was it the break my brain needed in the moment?
Not every moment has to be outwardly “productive.” In fact, sometimes stepping away, resting, or even playing a mindless game is exactly what helps us reset and come back stronger. Productivity doesn’t always look like doing more—it can look like recharging so we can do better.
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Effort Is Never Wasted
The same perspective applies in our work and relationships. Maybe you’ve poured your energy into a project that never launched. Maybe you invested time in an idea that didn’t go anywhere. It’s so tempting to dismiss those efforts as wasted.
But if we look closer, there’s almost always something of value left behind. Maybe you learned a skill you’ll use later. Maybe you built a relationship through collaboration. Maybe you discovered what doesn’t work, which can be just as useful as discovering what does. Sometimes the outcomes of our actions aren’t what we expected—but they still matter.
3 Ways to Find Value in What Feels Wasted
If you struggle with feeling like you’ve wasted time, energy, or effort, try this simple shift:
- Ask, “What did I gain?”
Even if the outcome wasn’t what you wanted, identify what you learned, who you met, or what you practiced. - Redefine productivity.
Rest, play, and reflection aren’t wasted—they’re part of the cycle that makes true productivity possible. - Zoom out.
What feels wasted in the short term may be planting seeds for something you can’t yet see.
A Shift in Perspective
When we embrace the mindset that nothing is wasted, we stop measuring experiences solely by their immediate outcomes. We start to recognize the hidden benefits, the growth, the lessons, and the connections that come along the way.
It’s not about justifying every choice or pretending all experiences are perfect. It’s about deciding to see the value in where we’ve been and trusting that those moments—yes, even the ones we label as “mistakes”—shape where we’re going.
The next time you catch yourself saying, “That was such a waste,” pause. Ask yourself: What did I learn? Who did I connect with? What did this prepare me for?
Because if you look closely enough, you’ll realize that nothing is truly wasted. Not your time, not your effort, not even your Candy Crush marathons. Seek out the inherent value in every experience.
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After earning a spot on the Global Gurus Top 30 list for three years in a row, I finally attended the event and accepted my award in person! It was an inspiring weekend filled with meaningful conversations and incredible leaders who truly shine in their fields. I’m so grateful to be included — and excited to go for year four!
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