Using Time

When deciding how you want to use your time, consider what are you getting out of particular activites? Learning? Intellectual stimulation? Finincial gain? Social connection? Phyisical connection? You pick. I left out numerous benefits you could be getting.

For example, I want to use my time to read about coaching. Directly, from what I read, I learn. I feel stimulated intellectually. Indirectly, I have information that helps me develop better relationships with people. I may even learn how to work more efficiently to earn more money.

What is what you are getting worth to you? Measured by time or money or fulfillment.

Using our example, let's create a scale. My time directed toward learning about coaching for me is very valuable. Let's say it is a 5. I don't directly earn money from it, but indirectly, I enable myself to earn money with improved skills. So for money, I will give learning a 4. And for fulfillment, I am very fulfilled by learning, so I will give it a 5. Contract this with doing the laundry for the antithesis. Laundry is not worth my time except that I need it to be done, so I give it a 1 for time. For money, well, again, it doesn't give me any money (except that random $5 I find in a pocket!). However, without clean clothes, my clients may not take me very seriously. So again, 1. And fulfillment, I do enjoy doing laundry more than cleaning bathrooms, but I don't enjoy it half so much as reading. I will say 1 again.

I want more activities at the 5 level. Say things that total 12 points or more? I want to reduce activities that I would scale, as a total, under 6. For these things, I might hire someone else, exchange chores with my roomie or partner, or do them less often.

What do you want more of in your life? What would that get for you? What would that be worth to you?

What do you want less of in your life? What will less of that get for you? What would that be worth to you?

You may not be up for all the math of assigning numbers. Maybe you decide you can simply do greater than and less than signs. Use a method that works for you. Examine how you are spending your time. Keep what works. Focus on what you want to do more of. Let go of activities that drain your energy to the extent you can. Free yourself up. Create your world your way.

Comments

[Justin]

I don't exactly follow this train...
First - what is the scale out of? 10? 5?
Second - what is the goal, more points?
It may make sense at the following posts are read, but independently I can't figure it out, yet ;)

[Jean]

Thanks for your comment Justin. The scale is one you create for yourself. Use whatever form feels comfortable to you. Yes, my scale ended with 5. What is important about the numbers is how they help prioritize choices. They make it easier to compare one choice to another. The goal is to choose more and more activites that fulfill you.

Hmmm, perhaps a worksheet clearly laid out with scales would make this more clear. Something of a cosmo quiz. ;-)