When we think of what is the most valuable to us in this world, often people will consider objects or resources that provide a material benefit to our lives. We can’t live without money to exchange for food, clothing and shelter, or education for example.
Photo belongs to James R. Howard
Make Time
Indeed, having the money to afford essential goods and services at home has significant implications on the lives we decide to lead. Many don’t have a choice but to work as often as they can. But at some point, we to take a break from making money, and often home life represents a barrier to the professional lives we lead. Some decide that time is more valuable than staying another hour at work after a long week, for example, and they would rather rest to prepare to work the next week. Especially if you have kids, there are moments in your family’s life that you don’t want to miss, like practicing how to ride a bike. Time is the most finite, yet most precious resource we have, and no one wants to feel like they’re wasting it.
Certainly we’re all busy, and time is one thing (of many) we wish we had more of, but the truth is, the only way you will get more is if you make time. Our lives interact around choices made around the money/time tradeoff. Do you spend an extra hour and work to add to your savings account, or do you take more time to rest and clean your house for the work week ahead? Do you work, or study for that exam, or do you go out with friends instead?
Photo belongs to James R. Howard
Organize Every Day
Decision paralysis is the condition of being unable to make a choice as a result of the volume of decisions that need to be made or by some understanding of the scale of consequences once decisions are made. Life forces us to make decisions about how time will be spent. Are you going to make time to clean your house every day? Will you have time to water all the plants, walk the dogs and get the kids to school before work? Can you get groceries for the week before your deadline? When are you actually going to take time to rest and do laundry?
The phone, laptop or tablet you’re reading this has a calendar, and probably something you can use to write notes and “To-Do” lists on. Making regular use of these tools helps build useful habits that set yourself up for success.
Photo belongs to James R. Howard
Trust in the Process
Having a reliable, trustworthy process for making decisions can be a useful timesaver for individuals at work or in relationships to help plan ahead on what choices need to be made, and what actions need to be taken. Using an effective process saves time, and trusting it can give us comfort in our otherwise busy lives.
Photo belongs to James R. Howard
Nurture Relationships
Making the time and prioritizing what’s important goes hand-in-hand with regular organizing, an effective decision-making process, and, most importantly, one that emphasizes positive relationships. Harvard’s 85 year Study of Adult Development found personal connections and relationships are “the most important factor in long-term health and happiness.” Think of nurturing relationships as the glue that binds everything else together. We get out what we put into that dynamic, so make sure it’s done with the best intentions.
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