Most of us can readily name what matters to us: our health, our relationships, meaningful work, time with people we love, travel, learning, contribution, joy. But then there’s the calendar. And sometimes, it tells a different story. For years — sometimes decades — our calendars are largely shaped by our careers. Meetings. Deadlines. Travel. Decisions. Teams that need us. Problems to solve. There’s a rhythm to it, and often an identity wrapped up in it too.

Then we begin imagining the next chapter. We say we want more time for our health. More adventures with our partner. Deeper friendships. A long-neglected creative pursuit. Meaningful ways to contribute. Or simply mornings that don’t begin with someone else’s agenda. If those things matter in the life you’re building, where are they in the life you’re living now? It’s tempting to think that we’ll make time when …

But perhaps the better approach is to begin practicing that future life before we arrive there. Take the trip. Protect the morning. Call the friend. Start the project. Make the reservation. Spend an afternoon doing something that has absolutely no productive purpose other than making you happy. Not because work suddenly matters less, but because the rest of your life matters too.

A meaningful next chapter doesn’t have to begin on your retirement date. In small ways, you can start living it now.

So here’s an experiment: Look at your calendar from the past 30 days. Not what you intended to do. Not what you value in theory. What you actually gave your time to.

Then ask yourself: What does my calendar say matters most to me?

And perhaps the more important question: Does that match what I want to matter most? What is one thing you want to make more room for—starting now?