There are 168 hours in a week.
That’s what we are given. Forty or more of those hours are typically devoted toward a career, toward making a difference in a chosen field, toward providing for individual or familial needs. Mark Zuckerberg has the same amount of time as you or I, that just seems impossible to me. How we choose to use our time will determine our effectiveness, as well as the contribution we bring to our places of employment, homes, and friends or families.
Unlike funds or supplies, time cannot be saved up for hard times or a rainy day. It is here now and then, it is gone. So, how we contribute, how we utilize those 168 hours is decided by each of us. Sure, our time during working hours may be managed by a leader, supervisor, or client but the effort and enthusiasm we put into particular tasks and duties is determined by each of us, individually.
It isn’t always easy to approach a day of work with the desire to complete as much as possible, with as much determination and passion necessary for that day to truly be considered a job well done. Decipher time, break it down to the minutes (480+ a work day) and moments (immeasurable) that make up a day of labor, a day of output, a day where fulfillment occurs.
Taking control of time and how you use it is often very difficult. Decide to prioritize and then stick with it. Figure out the daily stuff, destructive habits, and temptations that lead you down the path of wasting time. Once you recognize and face them down, the better your chances are for conquering them. And how about procrastination? Does it rule your behavior? Do you make up excuses like this? “I perform better when I am under pressure.” I just used that one today…
Conquer your misuse of time, set priorities, and establish parameters for yourself. Recognize that the time you are given is a valuable commodity. Your use or misuse of that commodity will establish a work ethic that is either appreciated or questioned. Take responsibility for your use or misuse, only you control the effort. It isn’t a simple part of your day, as a matter of fact, it is extremely difficult to stay focused and on task. It just comes down to decision, not fate.
“If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality.” ~Benjamin Franklin
It simply means, “Don’t waste time.”
Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology. She is also a proud mother of four residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a contributor for Blogging4Jobs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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I enjoyed reading your article Jessica. This gives me a new insight for the day; not to just get through it, but to take advantage of the time I have for each work day. I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
Nathan B
Hi Nathan-
Thanks for commenting on the “wasting time” post. I write about this often because it is something with which I struggle.
Take care and enjoy the rest of your week.
- Rayanne Thorn
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