When times are hard, we tighten our belts. We hope to
tide over the bad times. We partake in a few more luxuries when times are good.
We brace ourselves for the worst of times.
I have varied interests in my life. I don't do them
all at once. I wish that I can, however, I rather spend my time doing what
interests me than wishing for them to happen.
If there is one thing that I have learnt well is:
Time is a finite resource. Once you use it, it is gone. We can regret time lost
in wasting it away, or appreciate the ‘moments’ we have created with another
person.
Despite what we have learnt, we cannot ‘save time’,
‘buy time’, ‘make time’ or ‘invest in the time’ – we can merely make full use
of it at every moment. Medication and healthcare may ‘buy us time’ with
another, yet spending time connecting with a patient means more as our sense of
time is distorted (in a good way). How we spend our 24 hours in a day needs to
be ruled by our clarity of thought, strength of purpose, and fervency of
choice: Profession, recreation and service to others.
Time is a ‘sense’. It is an abstract like human
emotions. We can measure it with watches
and clocks, yet these instruments merely provide us with a reference point.
There numerous points in time we can refer to: memories, accomplishments,
achievements, celebrations, and milestones.
Each of us has a unique ‘sense of timing’. How we
pace ourselves can be learnt, yet we have a natural cadence that we are ruled
biological by. Yet, this metronome within us can be calibrated to our
priorities, passions, and purposefulness.
These are my approaches to how we can utilize time,
and be timely in our delivery and decisions.
1) Set
deadlines for mundane matters and chores (give yourself a Self-Compliment when
you meet each mini-deadline; use a Gantt Chart to visualize your progress).
2) Set
SMART* Goals for mid- to long-term achievements.
3) Plan
ahead, and make simultaneous preparations (engage your personal Project
Management for your next vacation).
4) Take
on a challenge. (22-day Pushup Challenge for PTSD patients, 1-Minute Plank
Everyday For 30 days, NanoWriMo 30-Day writing challenge, 5km run race).
5) Learn a new skill within 3 days, 30 days or 3
months.
6) Give yourself 20 minutes to write all you can
on your blog (or somebody else’s). Ensure it is edited. Yes, that is how fast
you have to think, write and edit. Keep the piece short: 3 minutes worth of
‘eyeball time’.
7) Like
an exam-paper, if you get ‘stuck’ – move on to the next task. Return to this
later, but you still must get it done! (I am writing a book review, which I put
aside for now, and will complete within the hour).
8) Stand
up, for a few minutes. Sitting is hazardous to our health long-term. Avoid
painful conditions that can be reduced through ‘mindful’ posture and
activities.
9) Be
creative. Start with the first answer/solution, and apply the next. Never stop
thinking too quickly. There is always more than one right answer!
10)
Be inspired, be stoked by other’s
achievements, be happy for their accomplishments, and ask yourself one Key Question:
WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM THIS? Be present for the next surprise coming…
By the way, this post took less than 20 minutes to
complete. Secret ingredients = Motivation + Discipline + Inspiration (from my
friends).
SMART*: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,
Timely.
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