How to Build Life Projects Without Wasting Time Scrolling
Have you ever come home after a long day—whether you’re a student, an employee, living with family, a partner, roommates, or even alone—and found yourself wondering, “What should I do now?” Maybe you end up scrolling online, picking up bits of knowledge here and there. But if you don’t actually use what you learn, it just fades away. You might enjoy the moment, but will you remember any of it years from now? Probably not.
I’ve noticed this myself. I’ve read countless things on social media, but most of it slips away. The only things that stick are the moments that really made me think—like the time Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, was fired and the whole conversation around it. The way he and his co-founders wrote about it was so open and human. It made me realize how rare it is to see leaders of big companies being so accessible and real.
It got me thinking: how do these people find the time to be so active? Maybe it’s their way of unwinding, or maybe it’s a form of journaling—writing about their day, but in public. There are apps for private journaling, like Day One, but sharing your thoughts online can help you connect with others and build your network. It shows you’re human, not just a distant figure behind a company.
But let’s get back to the main point: if you spend all your time just browsing and learning without doing anything with it, nothing really changes. You might feel like you’re making progress, but unless you take action, it’s just an illusion. Learning is good, reading is good, but action is what makes the difference.
This is why I always have a long-term project on the go. It gives me something to work on every day, even if it’s just for an hour. Over time, these small efforts add up—like compound interest. After a month or two, you’ll have something real to show for it. If you only scroll online, you’ll have nothing to look back on.
The best investment you can make is in yourself. Action is the only way to turn knowledge into something real.
— Warren Buffett
I use tools to help me stay on track. For example, I use dictation on my phone to quickly jot down ideas, or apps like Meal Snap to track what I eat. It’s like a food journal, but for your life. I also keep a “now” page on my website, where I share what I’m working on at the moment. It keeps me accountable and helps me see my own progress.
I’ve been doing this for over ten years—always having a long-term project, whether it’s building a website, studying for a master’s in data science, or something else. When I have free time, I work on my project. It’s my way of making sure I’m always moving forward.
There’s even research showing how quickly we forget what we read. After a year, most of a book is forgotten. After three years, almost everything is gone. That’s why it’s so important to refresh your memory and put what you learn into practice. Otherwise, it just fades away.
When I was studying data science, I realized that the real learning happened when I started doing things for real—not just reading theory. The basics are important, but you only really learn by doing.
So my suggestion is simple: start a long-term project. Begin today. Even if you don’t know exactly where it will lead, just start. You’ll be surprised how far you can go.
Small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results.
— Unknown
Key Takeaways
- Having a long-term project gives your life direction and purpose.
- Learning is only useful if you put it into action.
- Small, consistent steps add up to big results over time.
- Journaling—publicly or privately—helps you track your progress and stay motivated.
- Don’t just consume information. Use it, build something, and make it yours.
Action Steps
- Pick a project you care about and commit to working on it a little every day.
- Use tools (journals, apps, dictation) to help you stay on track.
- Refresh your memory regularly—don’t let your hard-earned knowledge fade away.
- Share your progress with others to stay accountable and connect.
Reflection
- What’s one project you could start today that would make you proud a year from now?
- Are you spending more time learning or doing? How can you shift the balance?
- How will you make sure you remember—and use—what you learn?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Fulfillment #Life Goals #Long-Term Planning #Personal Development #Self-Transcendence #Success Strategies #Tech #Time-Management