A sample dialogue between me and me follows.
Me: I really don’t think you should pay someone to fix the faucet in the sink.
Me: Oh yeah, why not?
Me: Because this is something you could learn. You really like problem solving and it will serve you well down the road. Plus, it will save you money to learn it yourself.
Me: But time is money. And by saving time, I will, in effect, save money. Or at least be able to make more of it.
So there’s lot’s to unpack there, right? We could look at some residual issues I have with money. We could examine a slight subtext of control. We could also dig into the need to justify what it is I want. Since I’m not terribly interested in the former two at this moment and I’ve already explored the latter here, let’s look at something else entirely.
Time is money.
The argument is understandable. With time you can make money. If something – or someone – takes up your time, it – or this someone – also deprives you of your ability to make more money. As a business owner, I get this. If I am fixing the faucet, I am not coaching, writing, submitting proposals, attending workshops or leading my own. I am doing something other than those activities that allegedly bring home the bacon. And bacon (especially tempeh bacon) is mighty delicious.
It just so happens that “time is money” doesn’t really reflect my deepest values, at least not in the way we typically understand the concept of money.
A former college professor and friend on facebook shared a blog posting entitled, A Calendar is a Moral Document. Its author asserts that your calendar reveals what’s most important to you. How you spend your time (like how you spend your money) is both a reflection of and a way for you to express your deepest values and beliefs.
Fixing the faucet is good. So is working on my business.
But time isn’t just money. Time is also laughter. And my husband’s complex hazel eyes. And playing fetch with the cats. And feeding the hungry. And helping a friend move. And watching the trees bend in the wind.
As my wise mother said this weekend, “We’re really only on this planet for a short time.”
How are you spending it?
Tags: money, time management
Time is really all we have. And as your mother said, we are here so briefly.
So, I decided to quit my job and move to Philly to be with my fiance. Without a job waiting for me. And without any clear idea of what exactly I’d LIKE to do with my time in exchange for money. But I figured that the time I spend with my future husband and best fried is truly precious and incredibly limited even without being miles away from each other. I realized everything else would or wouldn’t fall into place when I’m seeing him on a daily basis. And that brings us one step closer to being married and having babies, all of which I want way more than a job.
What I want to do with my time is be with the ones I love. I’ve learned that waiting for the perfect time for anything pretty much ensures it won’t happen. So I just decided to quit what wasn’t important so I could do what is important (thanks for clarifying that, Seth Godin).
Great post, Jennifer. And I hope you appreciate this little update I’m giving you. Thank you for your emails and taking the time to talk with me a few months back. This decision was made in huge part due to the great conversations I had with you and others.
And by best fried, I mean best friend! Although, we do like fried food (and tempeh bacon!).
Congrats, Joselle! I’m so glad you shared your update and I imagine others will be inspired as well!
I really like your observation that waiting for the perfect time “ensures it won’t happen.” It’s like chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow – we just never get there.
Well, I’m really glad you’ve made choices that reflect WHO you are. It will create such lasting impact in your life. And I’m glad I could be of help to you while you were figuring it all out.
Enjoy this next leg of the journey!