How we view and use our time is probably the most important question we have as humans. Because guess what, you’re not getting it back. Sure, you can try and extend it by throwing money at it. But face it, some day… you…you’re not going to be here. You’re gone. Me too! We have so much in common. It’s the great equaliser of history because no matter who you are or what you achieve, you’re heading the same way as the guy (or girl) that cleans your pool or mows your lawn. Or to throw Disney in…it’s the circle of life. Boy did Mufassa make some tasty grass for those antelope (too soon…?)The oldest recorded human was 122 upon death. Which means even if you beat her and shamelessly take her record, you’re still not likely to see the next century, or much of it.
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” – JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
I’m not trying to depress you. In fact, it should liberate you. Because you should realise that you shouldn’t waste a finite resource so carelessly. We try to compensate for this by trying to be efficient with our time. But we miss the first step…
We’re all unsure of exactly what we should be doing. Mainly because we haven’t taken the time to determine what we value. We often do things because, well, thats what you’re “supposed to do.” For some, University is the right path, for others it isn’t. There is no wrong or right decision. Just what is right for that particular person. This applies to everything; career, relationships, friendships, children, travel.
If you’re not willing to take the time to find out what you value, then you’re wasting your time. Why would you want to be effective with your time, but spend it in the wrong ways? Or with the wrong people?
As the late and great Peter Drucker said …
“Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.”
It’s far easier to determine the difference between the two when you’re aware of what is truly valuable and important.
Effecutivity 