Space we can recover, time never. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821).
Do you sometimes stop to wonder where all the time went? The last few minutes, hours, days, decades just appeared to vanish before our very eyes. Well you're not alone. It happens to even the most vigilant of us.
Do you sometimes stop to wonder where all the time went? The last few minutes, hours, days, decades just appeared to vanish before our very eyes. Well you're not alone. It happens to even the most vigilant of us.
Time, as you might already know, is ever elusive. We're all subject to 24 hours in a day, but some people appreciate its urgency more than others. While some days
seem to evaporate without registering any memorable moments, others hold a very high place on our imaginary, jumbo screen highlight reel.
One of my favorite quotes is by Albert Einstein: "Put your hand on a hot stove for a
minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it
seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity."
Time is relative and depending on our perception of a task or event, our execution may be affected. As the saying goes, "More haste less speed". And this, my
friends, is the beauty about time... The real issue is understanding ourselves relative to our timing.
These five tips remind us on how to get the best out of our most limited resource and subsequently, live a life void of that ever present, supposedly innocuous question; "Where did all the time go"?
These five tips remind us on how to get the best out of our most limited resource and subsequently, live a life void of that ever present, supposedly innocuous question; "Where did all the time go"?
1. Understand That Your Time is Now
Sometimes waiting for the "right time" is the poison that kills the best of our dreams. The past is history, we can't do much about that. Tomorrow's a mystery, we can only plan and analyze, and waste the little we have right now... Focus on right now. The present - a gift that once it's gone, is lost forever. Carpe Diem.
2. Focus on Results, Not Routine
Aggressive action is not effective action. Being pragmatic is the key to living an impactful life. Sometimes we find
ourselves beckoning to every supposedly important task, forgetting to take a breather from all the hubbub. Its important to actually assess how much progress we're
making. Indeed, activity doesn't always equal progress. So it's up to us to weed out those incessant excesses in our routine that do not add any real value to our lives.
3. Invest Time; Don't Spend It
Sure we're all entitled to a little R&R now and then but, being lethargic for too many days in a row causes us to lose steam on the grand scale of events. In small dozes, taking a break is very healthy for both our body and morale, but when our productivity begins to decline, and we gravitate more towards leisure than pain then a dangerous dynamic begins.
It's very important to set time aside for building our skill
set and honing our expertise. When it comes to brain power and our learning ability, its true that "If you don't use it, you
lose it". Setting time aside, each day for honing our bankable skills is the best way to stay sharp and relevant in today's dynamic world.
4. Respect Your Quiet time
Take time out, everyday, to listen to your inner voice. Only then can we consciously schedule our activities around what we love
doing and what counts most in our lives. This is the best time to drown out the
opinions of others and find out our true heart's calling.
No doubt, it is unrealistic to think that the world revolves around us... but for at least 30 minutes everyday, it should. We learn more about ourselves in this way. We know when to strike, when to retreat; When to bring it, when to save it. Often times, this is the when seeds of random thoughts bear fruit from within the subconscious.
5. Timing is Key
There's a season for everything. The best idea offered at
the wrong time may seem useless. So it's up to us to schedule events for times
we can deliver at peak performance. Usually the window of opportunity remains open during very short intervals and its most important to execute plans, once decide, without reluctance. Remember, hesitation places obstacles in our path; audacity clears them. So learn to be a Master of timing and you'll be amazed by how much you can accomplish.
6. Beware of Time Robbers
Work hard. Distractions are plentiful and time is short. Our days are numbered as pages of a book and each day you
spend on necessary inconveniences, is a day that you will never get back. Examples of time robbers, the ones inflicted by others and self inflicted are; Unnecessary meetings - Over 11 million meetings are held each day in America. Many are too long and unnecessary; Work overload; Equipment failures; red tape; procrastination; personal disorganization; poor planning; perfectionism; just to name a few.
Time Quotes
- Time is the coin of your life and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you". Carl Sandburg
- Time = Life, Therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life. Alan Lakein
- Be mindful of time but do not grant a clock authority over your reason".
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