If Time is Your Greatest Asset, Are You Spending it Wisely?

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Time has an amazing way of showing us what really matters. Ask someone who was told they only have months to live how precious time is. It is our most valuable asset, yet so often, it goes wasted. Your time is your life. Are you spending it doing what you love with the people you enjoy?

Jim Rohn, a pioneer in personal development, said it best, "Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it."

We all have the same 24 hours each day, yet how we spend it varies for each individual and fluctuates depending on the day. How we manage and spend our time determines the level of our success. Who we spend our time with is also greatly important.

Are You Too Busy?

I hear people always say things that would indicate they are too busy for certain things in life, but is that true or an excuse? Have you caught yourself saying any of these phrases?

• I don't have time for the gym.
• I am too busy to take a nap.
• I don't have time to make dinner.
• I am too busy to slow down.
• I can't make the family event because I have too much going on.

Those are just a few examples. Meanwhile, I see people multi-tasking and running errands, searching for lower prices instead of just going to one store. They likely spend more on gas than they save. Most importantly, they are spending precious time, all the while getting frustrated and becoming bitter.

How much of what you do each day when you say you are busy is truly necessary? Could some tasks be given to other people? Could you manage your time better? Busy is overly glorified, whereas rest is considered lazy or selfish. That is nonsense! Rest is essential for our well-being.

"The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Because when you give your time, you give a portion of your life that you will never get back." ~Author Unknown

Time For Yourself

How much time do you spend taking care of yourself? Let me spell that out. How much time do you spend working out and preparing healthy meals? How much time do you spend sleeping? How much time do you spend on a creative, fun hobby? How much time do you spend relaxing in a bath? How much time do you spend reading or enjoying lunch with a friend? Finally, do you eat on the run or in the car?

It is essential to manage time to make time for what you enjoy and prioritize your health and well-being. We only get so much time, and we are not promised tomorrow. It is critical to use our time wisely and to enjoy each day. Yes, a certain amount of hours are likely budgeted to work. But make sure you are doing something you love. Prioritize the people who are important to you.

How to Invest Time Wisely

• Prioritize tasks
• Learn something new
• Read a self-help book
• Take a nap
• Spend quality time with people you love

Final Thoughts

Lately, I feel like I blink, and time flies right by me. The more you have to do, the less time it feels there is. We must avoid getting so caught up in what we do that we lose track of time. Returning to present moment awareness allows us to check in and ask if our actions are necessary. Is it a priority? Are we enjoying the moment? Are we with people we enjoy? No, we will not enjoy every moment, but they stack up. For example, I don't enjoy taking the garbage out, but it falls into the necessary category.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy every day of my life. I wake up at 4:30 am and meditate and spend time with my puppy. Then I write. Those are priorities so I knock them out at the start of my day. Notice I took time to myself meditating, gave quality time to Aspen, and got my work completed. Now, it is Saturday and I am choosing to go visit a friend nearby and enjoy an after noon hassel free. This lifestyle did not happen overnight. It is something that took me years to envision, make appropriate changes, and learn to manage my time well.

There is no "right time" to go after your dreams, start a new job, or move to your dream destination. There is only time, so why wait? Choose to do the things that are most meaningful to you. Sadly, some people get stuck on the hampster wheel and never genuinely live their lives, but instead live to get by or to please others. Don't let that happen to you. Start now where you are and with what you have. Set inspired goals and work to make them happen.

Set and enforce boundaries that protect your time. For example, saying no to people and prioritizing self-care are far from selfish. Eliminate people who drain your energy; they are not worth your time. Finally, observe how much time you spend mindlessly scrolling on your phone.

"Trouble is, you think you have time." ~Buddha

Thank you for taking your precious time to read this. I certainly hope you gained value. You are amazing.

Peace & Light,

Libby