Time. You either have it or you don't ; that's what they tell us.
Perhaps this is the moment to observe time a little differently.
In the world of assets, the time you spend is the most valuable and most difficult to get back in return.
So how do you spend your time to retain the absolute best interest? Think of it like your bank account. You pick a bank, a plan and have a monthly spending cycle on the basis of your needs and wants.
In the case of how you spend the time in your life - where are you in your financial documents? Are you saving? Are you investing? Are you wasting? Or are you just doing what you have to do?
Time and happiness - yes they do go hand in hand, but not in the way that you might think. The obvious observation would be "well, if you have more time, you'll be happier." Maybe, but more than likely not.
By nature, people like to fill their time (unless you are hideously lazy, in which case you're probably not reading this anyway) whether it is with social activity, hobbies, travel or work. So having "more time" is inconsequential; it just allows more time, to do more of the same.
The key here is how and what you spend your time doing that leads to your happiness - which is in turn - your return, your collective interest.
Studies have shown that through both youth and maturity the highest levels of "happy" endorphins prior to death are found in those who are, in my words "time investors." Who are the time investors?
Despite what the name might suggest, they are not the entrepreneurs, workaholics and the seemingly "rich" people of this world. (by no means are they unsuccessful, and by no means do they not make money; you'll get it in a second). These are the people who spend their time primarily with other people, who they care about or inspire them. Be it friends or family. Discount marriage from this equation because that will come back later. The highest reward stance goes to those who spend quality time with those who they are close and compatible with; in both group social activities and in one on one intimacy. It may not be a lot of time, but, the majority of their free time is spent "investing" in those around them. Physical-emotional research has uncovered that these people have higher levels of energy, intellect, creativity and active mental health. A very good investment.
The "time savers". Those who do a little of everything. This is the rational and logical way to be. To spend your time evenly amongst a variety of activities (social, hobbies, travel, work). Balance.
Like money savers, they calculate when they can spend, and how much they can spend on any given activity. Although this on the surface of things, appears to be a great idea that can accommodate variety into your life - people with this mechanism often find their time well spent, but have fewer returns than those who dedicate more to just relationships. This is a less valuable way of spending your time - in the financial world, in living like this; your stocks are inconsistent; up one second, down the next. Whereas a time investor is continuously at the top of the game. An age old argument of quality Vs quantity. Treating all things with the same priority level leaves quality levels a lot lower than those who separate and differentiate. Savers tend to be organized, achieving, ambitious, physically fit people - but often suffer from loneliness and a desire for depth.
The next group of people see little to no interest, and the reason why is self explanatory. "Time wasters". These are people who do not see the value of time. If time were money in their bank account it would be squandered; and they would have no credit. They wait for the other time spenders to come to them. It's not rare, nor is it unusual. A lot of people fall into the trap of "waiting to see what happens" and in the process of waiting for life to come to them - it passes them by. Very rarely is a person who lives like this happy. More often than not, the waster realises that they are wasting when it is too late. Predictably they are usually those prone to resentment, depression and laziness as a result of life not being handed to them on a platter. Stocks are low.
Things get interesting in the next sub category. Those who "do what they have to do".
These people spend their time, for the majority - pleasing others and following guidelines they do not necessarily take pleasure in. This is often found within marriage. Unlike investors, these people find themselves forced into using their time with somebody. Rather than by choice. So is the case with work, as oppose to working in a field that may be preferable, they find themselves in a rut - and often over worked. Because of the commitment to just these two particular things, these are the cases where you hear "I have no time" most. This is spending a lot of time with absolutely no pleasurable return. It applies to the over worked and some (not all, obviously) of the married. It is when time becomes a chore rather than an asset. It is when sleep becomes the most valued time of all - instead of experience. Emotional debt. Commonly, those who do what they have to do are usually wealthy but unhappy, exhausted and sometimes prone to illness.
So perhaps it is time for all of us to re access what kind of spenders we are and what kind of returns we want. We do it with our finances. Our interest returns are our happiness. The higher the stocks are in happiness, the more satisfying our lives can be.
Time is priceless, our biggest asset and the greatest gift we can give to anyone. Spend it wisely.
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