Monday Miyagi 071309
“Every morning, you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? Remember, you must use it, as it is given only once. Once wasted, you cannot get it back.” (Anonymous)
I’ve been thinking about time a lot lately. With my first child on the way, I am preparing for a major change in my schedule. Parents and books have repeatedly warned me that sleep time and free time are two of the areas most affected. So, in the months leading up to my son’s arrival (it’s a boy!) I’ve been looking at how I spend my time and evaluating what is most important to me. My best days are balanced. My time is not spent running from one place to the next, checking off items on a to-do list, or putting out fires. My time is spent with my wife, with my dog, with my friends, with my students and by myself.
Not every day is balanced. The reality of life is that some days are spent putting out fires, some days are spent checking off items on a to-do list and some days are spent running from one place to the next. The key, for me, is to balance those days with days spent with my wife, my dog, my friends, my students and by myself. Even on the busiest days I try to make a little time for each of the things that help me stay balanced.
For me, it is not about being massively productive one day and totally relaxing the next. It is about being productive and relaxing in the same day. It is about working on and improving my business, my relationships and myself. What are the most important ways you spend your time?