Time After Time
Do you ever think about time? I don’t mean “What time is it?”. I mean “How do I spend my time?”. These are two very different questions. One is in the present; one is in the past, present, and future. One has a finite answer; one has a broad answer.
My oldest daughter has always been a worrier about time and that is my fault. I instilled in her to always be on time or early. She started worrying, at a young age, about being late for things. In fact, I had to tape paper over our car clock because she would get so anxious. Yup, this was all my fault but eventually, as an adult, she used her anxiety about time for good. She set up good life skills about time. I’m glad about that but I could have done a better parenting job with teaching her about time:)
I guess I think about time more now then I ever did. Most psychologists would say this is normal since I am on the back end of my life. But whether we are young or old, we should think about a few things when it comes to time. Specifically…
How do you view time?
How are you spending your time?
What can you add?
What can you take out?
Time is something we always think we have a lot of.
“There will be time for that later.”
“I will do that another time.”
“Maybe next year.”
Yet, we all know that time is one of the few resources that we have little control over and a limited amount.
Right now, we are all dying. We just don’t know how much time we have left. Many of us think we will grow old and die in our sleep. Yet, statistically, we know that this is not always the case.
A few things to think about…
The days are long but the years are shorter than you think.
The average lifespan is 79 years (as of 2024).
Middle age is not 50—statistically, it is 39.
The only thing we have control over is what we do with our time and even that control is limited. We all feel that we just can’t add anymore to our days. But is that really the case?
How do you spend your time during the day?
Do you spend any time doing something you enjoy like reading a book, playing tennis, knitting, taking a nature walk? Remember, one of the definitions of finding happiness is to do something you enjoy every day.
Do you do something that fulfills your purpose? Do you work on writing that book or finishing that painting?
Do you spend part of your day with friends, family, your cat or dog, genuine relationships in your life?
Your day is NOT a checklist of what you got done. Your day is a checklist of was it a good day for you. There is a big difference between those two checklists…
Finally, take stock in what you can eliminate in your time that doesn’t serve you. Here’s a quote from Mark Manson:
“Stop reading shit you don’t like. “If I start a book, I have to finish it.” Do you finish movies that suck? TV shows? YouTube videos? No. So why force yourself to read a book you hate?”
I would take his quote one step further. Stop reading a book you hate but also stop doing things you hate! You hate mowing the lawn? Then hire the neighborhood boy to do it. You hate making dinner? Then subscribe to a meal prep service. You hate grocery shopping? Then purchase it online and drive up for pickup. It doesn’t cost any extra and it saves you time.
Finally, let me leave you with one piece of advice. This is what I taught my daughter, but don’t have anxiety over it:) Do try to incorporate this into your life. I promise—if you do this Life Cheat, you will have great success!
Be early to everything.
It creates breathing room, reduces stress, and makes you look like you have your life together.
Rushed people make mistakes.
Early people make impressions.
Five minutes early is on time.
On time is late.
Lateness is disrespect wrapped in excuses.
Show up early.
Watch opportunities multiply.
Talking about time....wishing Joe a very happy birthday today:)
Blog Website: https://www.lifelessonsfrommemaw.com/
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