What if we Treat Time as Money?
You need this one perspective shift to get ahead of 97% of people
Recently an idea crossed my mind — Why don’t we treat time the way we treat money when time is more important than money? What if we start seeing time as money? What changes this perspective shift could bring into our lives?
Let’s explore…
Let’s say you could live 100 years here on Earth. It is 5,25,60,000 minutes — it is your total net worth. Some of us may have less than 5,25,60,000 minutes or more. Time is finite. You will never know when time will run out.
Whereas you can make an infinite amount of money, but the same cannot be said for time. We all have only so many hours. Then, why not save it like the way we save money and invest wisely?
In this quick read, you will unlock a different perspective about time that saves you time, helps in decision-making, and lets you do what matters.
What is Your Hourly Rate?
Value your time. It is all you have. It’s more important than your money. It’s more important than your friends. It is more important than anything. Your time is all you have. Do not waste your time.
— A Passage from the book, Almanack of Naval Ravikanth
Set an hourly rate for yourself — a high & ambitious one. Let’s say your hourly rate is 10,000/-. For each hour you spend on doing something, you are spending 10,000/- out of your pocket.
Time should be one of the decision-making factors. Before making a decision, ask yourself ‘Is it worth my hourly rate?’, ‘What is the return on investment for the time I will need to spend?’, ‘Is it something that brings me meaningful joy?’, ‘Is it something that I’ll feel regret for not doing if I’m going to die 5 years from now?‘.
Ruthlessly say NO to things that are not worth spending your hours on. Ruthlessly say NO to things that don’t bring you meaningful joy.
Think if you can delegate or outsource certain tasks that are worth less than your hourly rate. Hire someone or buy software that saves you time by taking less important things off your plate.
By saying NO to things that don’t matter and by outsourcing, you are left with more time to do more meaningful activities.
Use the money to buy time, use the time to bring joy and fulfillment to your life.
Friendly Reminder: You’re Not Going to Stay Forever
Another approach or idea that will take you to the next level in terms of utilizing time is ‘Memento Mori’ — the ancient stoic practice of reflection on mortality.
The ugly truth we all try to ignore is that we all gonna die someday.
“You could leave life right now”, Marcus Aurelius says “Let that determine what you do and say and think”
Practice remembering death.
I personally doodled and place this quote at my work desk. And I would highly recommend you to have one at your desk.
No one will know what will happen in the next moment with certainty. Let that sink in and let that decide what you say to yourself & the rest, how you treat yourself & the rest, and how you spend your time.
Quick & Final Note:
- Value your time. If you don’t, no one will.
- Think of ROI before investing your time. Is it bring you any meaningful joy? or is it worth spending your time on?
- Outsource or delegate whenever you can and save time for more meaningful activities.
- Use the money to buy time.
- Spend time doing meaningful and joyful activities.
- Remind yourself daily that you’re not going to live forever and let that determine your actions and thoughts.
This might give you enough reasons to stop scrolling and start doing what matters.
Signing off 🪶
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