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Written by: Lewis B. Walker Jr. | The Divitias Group
Life. If we are lucky, it amounts to approximately thirty thousand days. That puts you into your early eighties. Our lives are made one day at a time, yet time is the most wasted asset that we have. Why do we waste so much of it on the mundane? Why isn’t it prioritized and fought for with vigor? I believe that there should be a class somewhere along the way during our 6,570 days of youth that teaches us to value the time we have. Not the “someday” or “one day” time that we wait for, but the time we have right now, in this moment.
I have used just over 17,000 of my days. I do not know how many more I have left, none of us really do. As I look back, I realize that I could have had the courage to better use my days to pursue the greatness that is within me. The wisdom of age reveals the secrets that could benefit the youth, if they would listen. I want my children to learn this secret early in their lives and we have had many conversations about living with a sense of mindfulness. How I truly hope they heard my ramblings! With my last 13,000 (if it is to be) days, I am on a journey to not only be aware of the finite amount of days I have left, but also help others realize their own limited supply as well. To be aware and fight to make intentional use of those days. To advocate and encourage others to use theirs in a manner that is consistent with their heart.
It is a common complaint/excuse that lack of time is a reason for not accomplishing something or beginning something new. I am not convinced that it is a lack of time but rather a lack of awareness of how that time is spent. After all we each have the same amount of time in each day. Both the billionaire and the beggar have the same number of hours in a day. What differs is how we choose to spend those hours and minutes. I haven’t met anyone (I am sure you are out there) that truly realizes the amount of time that is frittered away unintentionally. Let's consider for a moment some of the common ways that people spend some of their time
Now I know that this is not an exhaustive list and that sleep part is pretty much non-negotiable. I tried to be very generic in the examples of where time is spent so that hopefully one can see themselves in the examples. Some of these are non-negotiables, so where can we be intentional in using our precious time? Where can we make a choice, and change how we spend some of our minutes and hours that make our days?
What about television? We can certainly steal back some of those days. Those numbers above do not even factor in phone or computer time. The numbers reflect five hours per day** (I know that sounds like a lot, see below where I got my data). Some people watch much more and some much less. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum; be aware and choose differently. Use the time to learn a new skill. Read a book. Give back to the community through volunteering. Pick up that hobby you don't "have" time for. I have read that the average millionaire spends only an hour a day on television. I know that we could all agree that there are many better ways to spend our time
Work? There is no reason (in my opinion) that anyone must dedicate thirty years to a job. If they do decide to dedicate that much time, my hope is that they love it. I believe we can reduce our time spent working, if we plan and work towards it. Maybe choose to set yourself up so that your work is your love. Move past the belief that practicality is the way to go. Failure can rear its head whether one lives a life of practicality or not. The end of our days will come regardless of whether we live courageously or not. Don't mark time with your life. Reach deep and figure out what, if anything you would do different if given the choice. Don't wait until life forces your hand, those moments often happen when it is too late. Watch Steven Jobs take on it...
Since the quality of our lives are determined in large part by the questions we ask ourselves. Did you hear the question Steve Jobs asked himself every day? It is a question that is relevant to each of our lives. Ask yourself better questions and make the decision to choose differently if needed
Time is our most valuable asset. It is the currency in the bank account of our lives.
Unlike our traditional bank accounts, we do not know the balance left. We only have a balance of NOW. The only way to balance the check book is to use the moment you have wisely and with intention. You may accomplish everything in life that you desire, but if you are working towards it then I believe you have won. I have written in the past of five areas that I think someone should focus their efforts to grow and live an intentional life. All of them are worthwhile to spend some of your time for improvement. They are certainly a better choice for your time than some of the distractions we face in life. The five areas in which to grow are:
Intellectual: Seek to learn something daily. Many people cease to grow intellectually after graduation day, don’t let that be you. Choose the direction of your intellectual growth. Expand your base of knowledge. Renaissance men (and women) had the ability to have a broad understanding of many disciplines. Why not you? Seek to be a renaissance person. A book a month is a great way to expand your mind and nourish your soul.
Social: Social growth is building and working on relationships. Seek to be a better friend, father, mother, son or daughter. Seek as many ways to give back, giving back is very relationship oriented because you are being a good global citizen. Take the time to proactively nurture those in your social life and watch your life blossom.
Physical: Taking care of your body is a smart use of your time. It enhances every other facet of your life. The benefits are too many to list here, but it is sure to help you make the most of your days, especially if you are lucky enough to get closer to that thirty-thousand-day mark. Take the time and spend it in protecting and building your physical wealth.
Emotional: Take the time to reflect on yourself and your time. Marcus Aurelius once said that
“People look for retreats for themselves, in the country, by the coast, or in the hills... There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind.... So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself”.
I believe that quote sums up the emotional aspects of life precisely. Take a few minutes daily for yourself and reflect. What gives you peace and balance? Take time to reflect on what you are grateful for in life. Then as you gain a new understanding of yourself, go out and enhance the world.
Economic: I am a firm believer that one’s life can be improved through the proper management of their finances. That is not to say that money is the focus, rather the focus is on money as a tool to a greater good. I have seen many people spend more time planning their vacations than they do their lives or their finances. Take the time to improve and harness your economic power. Dare to be intentional with your financial matters. It has the potential to free you to do the things you want to do and enable you to lead a life on your own terms.
So, that’s it; Thirty thousand days! Maybe you are already aware that time is finite. Maybe you had never thought about life in this context before. Regardless, I hope reading this was a good use of your time, if it was, then it was a good use of my time ;-). I hope it inspires you to live intentionally and think differently about your life's currency. How are you spending the minutes and hours during your days? Live with intention and make the most of the days you have left. If this resonates, then share and comment below.
* Bureau of Labor: American Time Use Survey** Business Insider.com: How Much T.V. Do Americans Watch
Except for the Sleeping category, all of the other categories were days calculated using 17 hour days because sleep is a non-negotiable use of time. Some need less, some need more so I used the average as per the Bureau of labor. All estimates of days are just that estimates.