There is this saying that goes:
“You can always make more money. You can never make more time.”
When someone gives you their time, beware of two things; first, you’re taking someone else’s time that they could use to do something meaningful or pleasant; second — it’s also your time you’ll never get back.
When I commit to something, I make it my personal obligation to deliver. If I don’t want to do something or meet with someone, I try to be open my reasons rather than using a cheap excuse (that often backfires) of hiding behind “having no time” or staying silent. You can always make time for something important to you. And if you think that you can’t, but you find yourself e.g. reading news you’ve already read or opening an email but failing to respond to it (ticking [unread] back) — you’re bleeding time.
So if you find yourself running like a chicken without a head, you should sit down and track back where did you commit your time to. Do you head into meetings and conversations with no clear agenda? If you can’t articulate the purpose of a meeting you called for, be assured that no one else can, either.
That’s why when you commit to something, do in wholeheartedly and intentionally. Respect other people’s time as you’d want them to respect yours.
Steven Burlett, one of the UK’s most recognised, successful young entrepreneurs says, that he prices an hour of his time min of £10k-£20k — this way he filters time wasters. He doesn’t need this money. It’s his “f*ck you money*”. He could be walking his dog in that hour, for instance.
I have a calendar and repetitive tasks that I live by. Like this #hankkaLessons series of posts I try to publish each Friday. When I’m not traveling, I have a very similar week every week. Slots for meetings. Slots without meetings. Karate / sport trainings. Productive windows I reserve for writing, reading or podcast producing.
But one thing that I always prioritise and make time by cancelling other things if needed, is my close friends and family. You never know how much time you’ll get to spend with them, before they will be taken away from you – sometimes – suddenly.
Learn to cherish moments with your close ones, celebrate the smallest victories and live purposefully in the moment, because future is unpredictable.
