Thursday, July 12, 2012

T is for Time

T is for Time

How would you describe time?

Today, I would define it like this:
It's an asset.  It's a resource.  You can't have more and you can't have less.  It can't be saved.  It's valuable.  It's a gift.  It's finite.  As much as it can be measured, it can't.  You never know how much you'll get.

The past director of Deseret Industries talked a lot about our "wildly important goals."  And, we would consider how much of our time was spent on those goals.  A statistic I heard, a lot, (I heard 59% of statistics are made up on the spot) was that 80% of our time is spent on 20% of our people.  Which wasn't really a positive thing because usually that 20% who get my attention, are getting it for less than positive reasons.

When I consider my wildly important goals, I'd dare guess that 80% of my time doesn't go towards them.  I figure that's a good reminder once in a while to see how I prioritize my time.

WEEKLY
 23% work
2% commuting
1% driving kids
2% at church
25% or more in bed
4% getting ready
 57% of my time

 Where is the other 43%?  72 1/4 hours a week are floating.

In college, I took a class called Cultural Studies, or something.  It was maybe one of my most interesting classes.  The projects were my favorite.  One project stipulated that I had to go at least 24 hours with no clock, and with no concern for the time.  It was a Latino study that teaches how to focus on people rather than time.  In America, we rush around to classes, work, and other appointments trying to get everywhere and get there on time.  This project said that you go where you need to go, when you're ready to go there.  If you get delayed, or stop to talk or help someone, that's just part of your day, then you go to your next thing when you're done.  I think it's a people-focused life, which is a good life.  If I think about how the Savior spent His time, it seemed very people-oriented.


Not to relate Latino people with the poverty culture, but after working with and studying the culture of poverty for the last five years, I have learned that time is not a resource or asset that is valued or a priority.

I guess, that's a good goal for this week.  To use my time wisely.  To focus on the right things.  To take advantage of the time I have, because you can't control how much time you get.  I'm going to focus on my family.  I'm going to spend time increasing my testimony of the Savior and the Gospel.  I'm going to show a little more love than I usually do.  I'm a happy person, so I'm gonna spend my time doing that.

1 comments:

Ana said...

It is funny a Latino gave you that project - I'm sure an American professor would have thought that it is a waste of time and skip it :)