Using Time Well

“The common man is not concerned about the passage of time, the man of talent is driven by it.”

Schopenhauer

Most of us don’t have a lot of spare time.  We have obligations and commitments.  We try to get time with our loved ones, for our jobs, and for ourselves.  There is never enough time.  Yet, somehow, some people manage to get things done and others don’t.    For better or worse, the same principles apply to all of us.

First, we all get 24 hours each day.  All of us.  This applies to literally every human being on earth.  That’s 24 hours.  That’s 1,440 minutes.  That’s 86,440 seconds each day.  With some exceptions, people who are infants, ill, or imprisoned, we all have the freedom to choose how to use each one of those seconds.  Even children have this choice.  (For that matter, so do many people who are ill and imprisoned.  They may just have fewer choices.)

Second, we all live with the rewards or consequences of our choices.  All of us.  This also applies to literally every human being on Earth, with the same exceptions.  We may be affected unfairly by others’ choices, but even then we can make choices with our attitudes and actions.    Spending time in blame, resentment, or regret is also a choice. 

Third, making choices is rarely easy.  Sometimes there aren’t just two choices, but several choices.  For example, at this moment I’m writing.  But I could choose to do any of the following:

·      Take a nap.

·      Clean my place.

·      Read.

·      Play an online game.

·      Talk to a friend.

None of my other choices is necessarily bad or wrong.  In fact, one or more of them might even be a better choice than writing.  Then why am I writing?  The answer to this leads to the fourth principle.

Having a Purpose can help clarify our choices.  There might still be a struggle with time management, but it won’t be because you don’t know what to do with your time.  You may be avoiding your work, but at least you know what your work is.  As a Career Coach, I have worked with many job seekers and I’m still surprised when I ask what they want to do and so many have no idea, other than “to get a job.” 
This is sometimes followed with an “I guess.”)   But they don’t know what job they want.  They don’t know what they love to do.

Love can clarify our choices, because love and Purpose are the same. Purpose is connected to whom and what we love.  Yes, it may be manifested in an activity, but the Purpose of Purpose must always be love.   Otherwise, it becomes another obligation.    When I work in love, there is no time except that moment.  And that moment is being used well.  I am able to Get Started and Keep Going and use my time well.