On Points Earning – The Absolute Ecstasy of Not Doing Everything

Earning Points and Miles

When it comes to earning lots of points and miles, people periodically ask me if I’m doing x, y, or z.  Often, I respond with a “no” to most or all of those options.  Sometimes, these individuals ask why not.  In certain instances, my choice not to partake in a given activity somehow comes across as an indictment of a particular behavior.  When this happens, I’m careful to mention that just because something isn’t for me doesn’t mean it’s not for (many) others.

Our points and miles hobby is a very giving one.  Earning can be very lucrative in terms of amounts and the wide scope of activities we can engage in to do so.  I previously described where I focus since I cannot possibly do everything.  Today, I talk about why I’m so selective.

Multitasking Is a Myth

Undoubtedly, many disagree with me.  What I know about myself is that when I do multiple tasks simultaneously, I do everything slower, make more mistakes, and lose confidence.  Taking on more points and miles angles would mean I’d inevitably attempt to multitask more.  In my situation, the fog that comes along with that isn’t worth the extra points or miles.

This Is Supposed To Be Fun

As Cheritto tells McCauley in Heat, “the action is the juice.”  Indeed, earning points and miles can be a fun pursuit, so why not try to replicate it as much as possible?  Because I personally know that I experience diminishing returns with more options.  Doing A is great, B is solid but not as fulfilling, C is just okay, and so on.  What steadily enters with every iteration is an increasing amount of drudgery.  Doing things more and more for the sake of doing them just feels more like a job.  Who’s running the show here?  You are, so only pursue the points earning options which you enjoy and nothing else.

Life Matters

Without a governor, our points and miles hobby can be all-consuming.  It can play a more significant role in our lives than it ever should.  I’ve noticed this in certain individuals, not typically the type with whom I’d normally associate.  I’m far from perfect, but it appears that their level of hobby involvement may have brought on some not-so-healthy habits.

Trying to do everything in our hobby is futile.  In many ways, it’s not unlike any of the more commonplace addictions.  It’s possible to lose all perspective.  Being selective plays a role in how I maintain points and miles as a fun, rewarding hobby and nothing more.

Maintaining Focus

This is partially related to the multitasking myth above but I feel is worth more consideration.  I’d rather be proficient at a few things I enjoy doing rather than having surface knowledge of many items.  I can maximize those joyful pursuits without clouding the space with unrelated distractions.  By doing so, I’m teed up for changes in those existing areas I focus on and can more readily adapt to them.

Of course experimenting with new plays can be a worthy pursuit and may lead one to take on a bit more or reprioritize efforts.  I’m a proponent there, but in cautious moderation.

Coexist

Let’s all remember that we have a diverse hobby, and of course, even more diverse participants in it.  We all do things differently, and that’s perfectly fine.  As long as we’re each following our tailored goals, we can be correct for our respective situations.  There’s a special clarity in appreciating the positives of a given option for someone else even if it doesn’t work for one’s own situation.

Undoubtedly, how our varying points earning options and goals intersect can bring mutual benefit, but let’s also celebrate the beauty of our differences.  The fact that I have close to zero interest in hoarding Wyndham Rewards points while others can’t get enough of them – and those outcomes are 100% compatible based on respective goals – is beautiful.

Conclusion

So don’t plug yourself into the points and miles matrix.  You don’t need to follow a credit card decision flowchart.  It’s okay to say no to certain options, and you owe no one an explanation.  Go about earning points and miles the way you want, and enjoy each step along the way.  This includes ommitting the options you don’t find fulfilling.  Say no, and do big things!

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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