What should we actually spend our time on? It is interesting to consider that we have more time than ever before. Although many spend their time on providing food, clothing and shelter for themselves and their families, according to the U.S Department of Labor, the average American over the age of 15 still has more than five hours of free time each day. So how do we make our time count? What do we have to eliminate, delegate, and minimize?
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time,
for that’s the stuff life is made of.”
―Benjamin Franklin
1. We should spend more time with ourselves rather than with the needless dramas around us
There are many benefits to spending time with ourselves. It relieves stress, gives us a rounder perspective of life, and helps us to be more independent. It also offers us clarity, purpose, and definition. By spending more time with ourselves, we can avoid the needless dramas that surround us. Nonsense like hurtful relationships and negative talk will only make us unhappy.
2. We should spend more time reading instead of watching TV
Watching TV is becoming not just a leisure activity, but an addiction. In the United States, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American watched TV for 2.8 hours per day. This could amount to 9 years of TV for an average person. All that time could be spent on something more productive or enjoyable, like reading. Reading will help you to know and understand people around you, the world, and yourself.
3. We should spend time with our families rather than compulsive busyness
Our family should remain a priority in our lives. They are the reason we do so many things in life. However, it is easy to start neglecting the people that motivate our hard work. Spending time with your family affords you the opportunity to appreciate the fundamental things of life.
4. We should spend time giving to others rather than pursuing those things we cannot have
Giving makes us happier and more productive. It also means that we make a contribution to life’s unending cycle. We shouldn’t be a reservoir, but a river aiding to the flow of life. It is easy to conclude that we do not have enough, so why should we give? But you should appreciate what you already have and share some of it.
5. We need to take care of ourselves instead of worrying about failures and mistakes
There are a lot of seemingly successful people who make great money, but whose mental and physical well-being is terrible. Slowly, they are consumed in stress and failures and cannot find a direction in which to go. It is better to take care of ourselves first by exercising and taking breaks before worrying about those things that are not within our control.
6. We need to take action instead of procrastinating
There is never a perfect time. Procrastination is the thief of time. But we can make the best use of our time by going after our true desires. Chase your dreams, because there is never a better time to start than now.
7. We need to learn and educate ourselves rather than staying in wrong relationships
Time should be spent on learning something new. Education is endless and limitless. We are not on this planet to stagnate, but to continue searching and rediscovering ourselves. Wrong relationships may try to bruise our self-esteem and make us feel less acceptable, but we know that we can use our time in a better way instead.
8. We need to build good habits instead of spending money on wrong choices
Building good habits save us time and resources. It also helps us to feel more accomplished and worthy. Spending our money on useless things can affect our future and the genuine plans we intend to commit to.
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