Time is the one thing we’ll never get back. Here’s how you make it count.
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This year can be one of the greatest of your life or the same as every other year. The thing that determines what kind of year you’ll have, is how you spend your time. Time is the one resource we’ll never get back. Each of us only gets one life to live. Each moment is precious and should be used on the things that will better your life, and help you reach the goals you’ve set for yourself this year.
In the chaos of life it’s easy to get caught up in all the things we have to do.
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For 12 years I didn’t think about how I spent my time because I was just trying to survive. I was living paycheck-to-paycheck; I was 170 pounds overweight, and living in a place that had us fearing for our life.
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I wasted a lot of time that I’ll never get back. I don’t dwell on it because holding onto the past can keep you stuck. When I got serious about making changes, I used every second of my time focused. Here are five better ways to spend your time and ensure an incredible year.
1. Living fully present
In the chaos of life it’s easy to get caught up in all the things we have to do. We’re busy people these days and there’s a wealth of distractions. Even when we’re with our loved ones, we have to check our phones. We can’t miss what’s new on Facebook. Right?
Living fully present means you focus. You put the phone away and listen to what your kids are saying. You ignore email so that you not only listen; you understand what your spouse is telling you. Living life this way ensures you’re not wasting time and you’re spending it living each moment.
2. Working on your dream
Life is short and at the end of it, you’ll look back and remember. That will either be depressing or bring a smile to your face depending on what you do now. Spending 40 plus hours in a job or business you don’t love will suck the life out of you.
Choose to spend your time working on making your dream your reality. Spending your time trying to rationalize complacency will only lead to a life of regrets. Your dreams can bring you true freedom with your time, and in your life.
3. Improving your health
Your health affects every other area of your life. To accomplish everything you want in life, you’re going to need energy. Investing your time in exercise and eating foods that give your body nourishment, will pay dividends.
4. Dating your spouse
I don’t care how long you’ve been married; you must always date your spouse. Just because the ring goes on both of your fingers and you sign that official document, doesn’t mean the romance dies. I would argue that you have to work even harder.
Take time to get out, and away from the kids, and rekindle that love as you glaze into each other’s eyes. The secret to a strong marriage is constantly working on growing together. Love is a decision and dating each other helps reaffirm that.
5. Avoiding situations that end up being distractions
It’s easy to get distracted by all that’s available to us these days. You log onto your laptop to check email, and before you know it, an hour is gone reading the latest gossip. There are things that seem like they will help you, but in the end waste your time and hold you back.
If you’re reading this, you’re alive. That’s reason enough to smile and realize it’s possible.
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It can be a fade diet, it can be a job or business that you think is right for you, or it can be a destination that seems like it’s perfect for you. You could spend your precious time and energy chasing rabbits down holes that don’t end. Once you come back up for air, you’ll realize you were on the wrong path all along. This year focus has to be the priority.
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If you want to see progress, I mean more progress than you’ve ever seen before; you have to use your time wisely. Get laser focused on the things that are important to the life you want to live.
If you’re reading this, you’re alive. That’s reason enough to smile and realize it’s possible. Eliminate “can’t” from your vocabulary and start doing something about those big goals and dreams. You only get one life to live. Make it count.
What are some things you plan to focus your time on this year?
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This article originally appeared on KimanziConstable.com and is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStock
So true, that we can either waste what we can never retrieve or realize how we are always on the losing end of time we have and live accordingly. Gives more power to the idea to live our lives saying, “I’m glad I did reather than I wish I had.” Thanks for the reminder we all need periodically. You have obviously maximized your time well and realized its blessing.
Thank you for reading and you’re right. I appreciate you taking the time to interact here 🙂 Nice to meet you!
BTW I thought about something similar to your post a while back that I’ve been intending on doing at least for lent. I’ve actually never gotten around to it, but I think it’s worth a thought. I look at the things we have as gifts from God and I’ve asked myself how do we honor his gifts? Your body is a gift. You should take care of it. Your mind is a gift. You should do something to nurture that. Our community is a gift, our family, the people around us. We should show our appreciation or get out an… Read more »
Life is a gift and we should treat it accordingly 🙂
FYI a time management consultant once said take a piece of paper and fold it into 4 sections. On the left side write every task that was immediate / time sensitive. On the right side write down tasks that had longer time frames. On the top half, write down everything that was critical and on the bottom half write down things that could be skipped. So the top left quarter would have tasks that were both critical and in immediate need of doing. The bottom right had tasks that were both not critical and could be put off. Do all… Read more »
That’s great John and so needed. Has it worked well for you?
It’s helped when all things were equal. There are some tasks that I just dread and these seem to always be pushed to the rear until it hits critical mass. Still not sure how to get over that.
I really appreciate you sharing!