Where Are You Investing Your Time?
Time. We so often complain of not having enough of it, and yet many (probably most) of us spend it as though it were an unlimited resource.
If we think of time as a resource the way we think of money as a resource, we can begin to find ways to invest our time, which in turn can create more time for us.
I hear you thinking to yourself, “That’s not possible. You can’t CREATE more time. Time is finite.”
Well, yes and no.
Time, like money, is infinite. During this lifetime, however, we may have more or less of it at any given point.
But, if we learn to invest our time wisely - just like our money - we can create more time for ourselves and the things that are most meaningful to us.
When you spend something - time, money, etc. - you are using it up or exhausting it. When you invest in something, you expend resources with an expectation of getting a return on your investment. When you invest money, you expect the money that’s been invested will grow over time. When you invest time, it means you’re engaging in rewarding activities.
Here’s a quick check to see how your time investments line up.
See how many of these statements align with your current state-of-mind:
I’m frustrated or unhappy with my partner.
I’m unfulfilled, unhappy or bored with the work I do.
I spend time gossiping with friends or colleagues.
Netflix (or similar) are on autoplay in my home.
I can’t remember the last time I did something that was “fun.”
When I was younger I loved ______________. I have no idea why I don’t do those things now.
I could really use more sleep.
I lose hours scrolling through social media without a purpose or any real engagement.
I don’t really have anything to complain about, but I (or others) have noticed I’m not as connected/engaged or are complaining more.
I feel angry, sad, nervous, worried, blue, etc., more than I would like.
I don’t have time for me or my interests. Everyone else comes first.
If one or more of these has become your reality, it’s likely you’re spending your time in ways that aren’t fulfilling.
So, how can you stop spending your time and start investing it? Take a look at the ideas below to get you started.
Consider What You Want
A good starting point when deciding how and what to invest your time in is to consider what you want, what you really, really want (yes - I hear the song, too).
This can be really tough if you haven’t done it in awhile.
When I’m working with a client, I will start by asking them to consider things they loved doing when they were younger (as a child, young adult, etc.). With each thing that comes to mind, I ask them to close their eyes, bring to their mind’s eye a time when they were actively engaging with whatever it was, and see how it feels in their bodies. Does it create feelings of lightness, openness, or pleasure? If so, I ask them to write it down.
Once they have a list of things that felt good to them, I ask them to see how it resonates with them now. Would it feel good to bring that back into their lives as is, or in some other way.
For instance, let’s say when you were in college you loved going to art museums and painting. But, after a period of time, those things just slipped away. When you thought about those times, you felt an openness and lightness in your body. What are ways you could think of to incorporate more art into your life now? Is it a regular date to a local museum? Buying yourself a sketchbook that you keep on your desk and set a time for 20 minutes of unabandoned drawing? Pulling out an easel and setting it up on your back porch to paint in the mornings before anyone else wakes up?
By idenfitying what you want more of and investing the time and space to explore it, you’ve now created more time for you in your life.
Try Something New
I know I say this all the time, but if you want something to change, you have to do something different.
It’s really that simple.
If you’re spending your time vs. investing it, it may be time to try something totally new.
Again, this can be scary if you aren’t used to trying new things. It’s okay to take it slowly and to build that muscle.
Learn a new skill that’s associated with your work or business. Take on a new hobby you’ve always been intrigued by. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in years.
Allowing yourself to be open to trying new things creates opportunity to find something deeply fulfilling you may want to invest your time in.
There is no “perfect” way to do this. The “perfection” comes from imperfectly trying and being open to the possibilities.
Know Your Values & Nurture Them
By understanding what you value most in your life, you can make conscious effort to bring more of it to you.
Do you value people and relationships? How can you nurture the ones that are most meaningful to you - including your relationship with yourself.
Do you value travel and exploration? How can you make this a priority in your life and work? Be creative and think outside the box.
Do you value creativity? In what ways can you invite in more opportunities to create and appreciate the creativity of others?
Whatever your values are, consider what one small thing you can do to nurture it on a more regular basis. This is the ultimate opportunity to invest your time wisely.
It’s Up To You
Here’s the thing. No one knows what’s most important to you. That’s your choice, both personally and professionally. When you can hone in on those things, you have the opportunity to move from spending, wasting and squandering your time to truly investing your time. And from there, you will be creating more time because you’re focused on what is most important to you in this lifetime.
Time is one of our greatest, if not THE greatest, resources. We are always in choice of how we use our time. So, are you planning on continuing to spend it, or invest it? It’s up to you.
