Investing Time

We each have the same number of hours in our day. So, how then do some people seem to get so much done?

We each have the same amount of time in a week, month, and year but, we do not have the same access to resources, skills, determination, or drive. The same aspects that have led to our individuality and unique lives are the same differences that lead to our productiveness, or lack of. Generally, as sentient creatures we have power over our choices. We spend time. We never seem to find it - though I’ve certainly tried. We have found ways to waste it, we can certainly see when we’ve run out of it, but even with our best intentions we rarely locate the time we search for. The choice we have lies in the small moments of our day, and ultimately, choosing how to spend our time.

So how can we navigate our days so that we are taking advan - tage of our time? How do we reorganize, restructure, and maximize our time so that we are not controlled by the clock but are using time as a resource? I am certainly no expert and make no promises of the answers to these deep questions, but there are principles that can guide us in evaluating our daily systems.

Step out of your flow and evaluate how your time is currently being spent and what exactly it is being spent on. Within the twenty four hours of your day, how much time is spent on work, self-care, maintenance, or growth? Are the things you are spending your time on producing the results you are looking for? Are your daily choices aligned with your long-term goals? Use your photos, past calendars, even your google timeline to observe how you have been using your time. This act alone can lead to changes that can significantly impact the choices in your day. But just as looking at your bank statement is not the full process of managing a budget, reflecting on your time does not lead to a functional schedule. This process, however, can give you a better understanding of some of the opportunities and challenges that are interwoven with our lives.

Start with the beginning of the day and evaluate your routines. Strive to find the balance of being efficient and not wasting time but also allow for creative time use and the ability to respond to the challenges and changes around you. Establish routines that ultimately fill your needs and are sustainable. Beginning with your morning routine, create a structured series of events that over time forms good habits.

Build time for rest and recharge. Not find or set aside, but build. A system built for efficiency and production alone is not sustainable. Maybe this means intentionally taking time from another activity for rest, scheduling a time in your day for a soothing activity, or saving days off and planning for a vacation. I often find that this is a difficult step in the process because too much rest can quickly crumble effective routines. I find that intentionally scheduling time for an activity I choose, like a walk in the park, leads to more enjoyment and is ultimately more fulfilling because I awaited and anticipated the walk, enjoyed myself and felt present in the moment, but didn’t regret the time spent disconnected.

What I’ve learned though is that we have a great overarching choice of spending time or money. Think, for example, of a new fence. You could absolutely pay a company to get it done quickly or you could buy the materials and build the fence yourself for less money. The second option would involve a higher investment of time but you may find that the exchange of your time for your hard earned money is worth it. Find the value exchange for your own time and money. How many hours of your time is that purchase costing you? How much money could you save if you spend your time on a project? For me, investing my time and learning new skills often go hand-inhand. When I use my time to save money I often learn something new in the process of completing the task. Which definitely leaves me feeling like I’ve gained in the exchange.

Each hour of your day is full of potential. Each choice you make determines the course of the day. With the opportunity to shape a year and even a lifetime, choose to invest your time.