'Work is what you're doing when you'd rather be doing something else'

Still the best definition I've come across, offered by a University of Virginia psychology professor whose name I've long since forgotten in the course of an interview with a Cavalier Daily newspaper reporter.

I got to thinking about it the other day when I was trying to figure out if I wanted to go to something or other.

I did a little thought experiment that offered clarity on the subject.

First, I created an avatar or robot of me indistinguishable from my real self, such that I would be the only person on the planet who would know that it wasn't me.

Then I sent the avatar to the event in lieu of my real self, who instead stayed home reading or watching tv with my cat on my lap.

The question then became: if I had such an avatar, would I use it?

"Yes!" was my answer.

So I didn't go.

Try it and see if it doesn't provide a different perspective on how you decide what is worth your time.

I am reminded of the late, great Scottish author A.J. Cronin who said to an interviewer, "The nicest thing about getting old is that you can sit quietly at home in the evening in front of your fireplace, looking up at the mantlepiece at all the invitations you chose not to accept."