We all have the same 24 hours everyday. Winners spend them deliberately. Losers waste them away. If you want to win more often, you need to understand time is your most valuable asset. Here’s how to spend it wisely.
“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” ― Marthe Troly-Curtin
Don’t be afraid of “wasting” time. If you genuinely enjoy an activity, then it’s a legitimate use of your hours. Ignore people who judge you for doing what you want. They are merely jealous of your joy and trying to take it away.
“Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” ― Anthony G. Oettinger
Time should be spent in a purposeful and meaningful way. Imagine an archer shooting for a target that’s far away. This requires precision and concentration. Eliminate all distractions (including your constantly chirping phone) without mercy and focus on what you’re doing.
“Books have a unique way of stopping time in a particular moment and saying: Let’s not forget this.” ― Dave Eggers
The best memories should be captured. They could be photographed and compiled into an album or scrapbook. Whenever you’re feeling down in the dumps, dust off your collection and relive your highlight reel. You’ll feel better about whatever garbage you’re dealing with in the present.
“How did it get so late so soon?” ― Dr. Seuss
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” as people like to say. If the hours are crawling past at a snail-like pace, then you’re not spending your time intelligently. You should be so absorbed in what you’re doing that you constantly look at the clock and think: “Wow… how did it get so late so soon?”
“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Bold, audacious goals such as self-publishing a novel require a serious investment of energy, effort, and enthusiasm. At the time, the task might seem so daunting that it feels impossible. You might even feel as if your investment will never pay off. And maybe it won’t. Who cares? If you manage to create any work of art, you are a winner in my book.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ― Mother Teresa
There is nothing to gain from reliving the past (unless you’re enjoying your highlight reel as I mentioned earlier). Today is the only day you can make a change. And the sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll change your life. Waiting is a loser’s game. Winners make use of any assets and resources that are at their disposal in the here and now.
“Don’t waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear.” ― Paulo Coelho
Defending yourself is often a total waste of time. People’s perceptions are clouded by their upbringing and life history. If you’re constantly explaining your decisions, you will only frustrate yourself in the end. Let your actions speak for themselves. And if people don’t interpret them correctly, that’s their problem (not yours). Do you, always!
“You can have it all. Just not all at once.” ― Oprah Winfrey
To succeed at anything, you must focus. Good luck trying to start a business, build a ripped body, and meet the man or woman of your dreams at the exact same time. Your concentration will be too scattered to succeed on any count. It’d be better to invest all of your time in one goal at a time. Only tackle another goal after you achieve success in the first realm.
Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ” ― Coco Chanel
Imagine you have a criminal record that’s littered in offenses and you want to be a politician. That’s unlikely to work. No matter how much time you invest in your political career, your past will hold you back. To become president, your record must be relatively clean and spotless. That’s just how the world works. Only fight battles you can win. And only invest your time in goals that are realistic for a person in your position. Anything else is a waste of time.
Read More Articles by Daniel Wallen:
- 5 Questions to Ask Yourself before You Become a Freelancer
- Freelancing 101: How to Learn a New Skill (without Stressing Yourself Out)
- 13 Motivational Quotes to Fire You Up in the Morning (Make #5 Your Battle Cry)
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