Value Yor Time
Did You Know That Taking Care Of The Minutes Will Take Care of The Hours? You Can Spend It Usefully Or Wastefully.
CULTURE&LIFE
Timeless and Thoughtless
I never thought of time as something to think about. Why should I? There is plenty of it and everyone has it. Looks like, I have unknowingly hit the nail on the head. Yes, to the part where I said "Everyone has it". It's both true and not. True, when we have it and not when we don't.
We know that time is linear, it flows like water, which I use for comparison only. Flowing from the future, "to now" and then past us. "Which direction?" might you ask? It's always from the future to the present and then the past. It's not a direction as we perceive it in the physical world. Time's not physical. It cannot be felt, seen, smelled, or heard. It's formless.
Besides knowing that time exists and pretty much nothing else, it's time [pardon the pun] to move on to understand its value.
The Value of Time: Making Every Moment Count
Time—it's a currency we all possess, yet often squander. It flows inexorably, not caring about our whims and desires. We are in the habit of measuring it in seconds, minutes, hours, days, and, years but its true worth goes beyond mere numbers. Do we truly value our time? In most cases, we do not, at least not until we are short of it and are in trouble. Remember, every living being is given this precious time.
I wonder, how humans would have lived had we been given a finite time? It's something to think about. Wouldn't we have been better?
How can we extract the most from this limited resource?
The Illusion of Infinite Tomorrows
We live as if time stretches infinitely before us. We’ll start that work, tomorrow!. I’ll call my parents, next week. I’ll chase my dream, someday. But tomorrows are elusive. The present moment—' the now'—is our only guarantee. To value time, we must recognize its scarcity. Every 'tick of the clock' is a heartbeat, urging us to act.
Let's adapt and not say "I don't have the time". Let's 'Make Time'.
For a more deserving life, let's ;
Reserve a few moments to
Credit our health balance by performing a wellness routine. It could be as simple as a morning meditation, or a few stretching exercises. Later, as you sip your coffee and mute your phone for ten quiet minutes and think, you’re not wasting time; you’re investing in yourself, prioritizing the things you should focus on.
Take Joy in the Mundane
I'll bet, we do not have the time for the mundane, everyday things, and objects around us. Familiarity breeds blindness. Pause. Breathe. Look around. We’re creatures surrounded by wonders—the cosmic blue of the sunlit sky, the movement of life, the colors of leaves, beautiful surroundings, the hum of traffic, the air we breathe, and much more. Challenge yourself: See the ordinary as extraordinary. Find joy in details and trivialities; they compose the timeless symphony of our existence.
Prioritize Purpose Over Busyness
Busy lives often pose as productive lives. We rush from task to task, juggling responsibilities like acrobats. But are we truly effective? Valuing time means showing good judgment between busyness and purpose. Be judicious and selective. Ask: Is this task essential? Does it align with my goals? If not, stop doing or postpone it. Prioritize purposeful actions—the ones that move us closer to our aspirations.
Develop The Art Of Saying 'No'
Our calendar is filled with work, invitations, obligations, and commitments. We hesitate to decline, fearing judgment or missed opportunities. Yet, saying no is an act of self-respect. When we decline nonessential requests, we free time for what truly matters. Remember: Every 'yes' to someone else is a 'no' to ourselves.
- Say No
Be sure of your priorities and limits. Before you say “no,” reflect and understand if the request aligns with your purpose. It helps you decide if an acceptance will derail your priorities, take time away, and most of all, whether you can successfully deliver the additional burden without messing up the work you are yet to complete. Remember, when you say no, it’s not a rejection.
- Be Clear
When asked for favors or commitments. Be clear. “I appreciate your request, but unfortunately, I must finish this first”. At times, due to the innate complexity of the situation, you must consider the social or work consequences. Explaining the situation may help. You could also propose an alternative. Acknowledge the requestor's needs without sacrificing your own. “I understand this is important, but, right now, I need to focus on my priorities and timelines.”
- Defuse Difficult & Conflicting Conditions
Often, where everything seems important, quantifying the 'goals and timelines' of all the important tasks is key to starting an effective discussion. The discussion will eventually help evolve a hierarchy with the most important tasks floating to the top.
In addition, organization/department priorities help facilitate the acceptance or rework of tasks that seem to be important or tasks that are handed down from seniors. In such situations, nicety, tack, and a certain amount of diplomacy help.
- Show Appreciation
Always end it with a thanks and a show of appreciation. “Thank you for understanding.” Don't overdo it. Keep the tone and tenor right. As they say, Bridges, not walls.
Three Quotes to Think About
“If you want to make good use of your time, you’ve got to know what’s most important and then give it all you’ve got.”
— Lee Iacocca
“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“You gotta make it a priority to make your priorities a priority.”
— Richie Norton