TIME IS MONEY?
Originally posted May 13, 2015
A phrase often heard within the business world from some of the most wealthiest and most influential people within their career. At first glance, it's obvious that it is referencing the "clock". The fact that literally employers are experiencing a financial responsibility with every second of the work world. Be it replenishing supplies, paying employees wages, health care plans, or insurances (and the list goes on), employers have a benefit in understanding how much "time" is costing or profiting them.
That is why accountants/CPA's exist. In a nut shell, they are hired professionals charged with the job of assessing the full costs for business, assuring all numbers are accurately reported and accounted for, and providing consultation on how to reduce a deficit or improve the profit for their client. Really seeking to ensure there is/or will be value for the time spent.
New news? -Not really
Most people are familiar with this notion. Everyone at some point has experienced receiving a paycheck for the time they invested. Or paid for something in which ensured that the basic product was paid for as well as for the laboring costs to make it, and some profit. But are we at all giving thought to the fact that we too will be subject to an audit? And not by the IRS or your state's tax board. We will all have to give an account for what we did in our lifetime.
I know I know this comment seems to cliche but it's true!! Each day we are all given the exact same amount of hours, minutes, and seconds when alive. Yet, if studying the life of 3 people from 3 different areas of the world, there will be more differences than similarities on how each is spent. But why so much variability? Why is only 1% of the population deemed successful and wealthy in America? Well, based on various studies, there are common habits that each successful person does daily to increase their life's effectiveness. As students of life, we should analyze these. More than that, as Christians, we should see what the Word already has lined out for us. There are several specific things that we can alter daily that will increase the overall output and value of our days. Here are a few things that have been heightened and revealed to me these past weeks. 1) Watch what we say.
If it were to be told that everything you said had a dollar amount attached, and you can have your account withdrawn from or deposited into for each statement, would you change what comes out? How many circles of gossip would still remain? Well, it is true and the cost more valuable than money. "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement" (Matthew 12:36 NKJV). This means we are to be purposeful with what we say. Really thinking about why we are saying what we are and choosing to speak on things that will not cause division. Better stated by James "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;" (James 1:19 NKJV) 2) Prioritizing time with healthy habits
We are commissioned by God to "see that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15 NKJV). This means that we need to really put first things first and take our time back. Incorporating healthy habits daily. Every morning try and spend time in the word and prayer before anything else. This can start with 10 min!! If you did 10min a day for 365 days, that is 60 hours newly spent in the year, one on one with God.
Now imagine what just this step will increase in your life. What if you were to also replace 30 min of TV a day to read to enhance your God given talent and/or interests? That would add 182 hours a year of "interest" to your brain power. Talk about productivity!! Lastly, if we replaced 30 min of searching the web or social media for a peaceful, unplugged walk, or a phone conversation to an elderly family member, how would this help calm your anxieties? 3) Have frequent praise moments
Regardless of how much time we are given to live, we can guarantee that there will be a mixture of moments. Some filled with joy and happiness, others frustrations, some will be of pain and disappointment. I am finding that another major way that we can increase our "bottom line" in life, is to take a page from the book of Psalms. One that I have gone to often (but surely not enough) is Psalms 34:1 "I WILL bless the Lord at all times; HIS praise shall continually be in my mouth." (AMP). This sounds ever so simple yet is under utilized. This I can say is a game changer!!!! Taking any amount of time to be thankful for Christ and praising God will increase our day/year/life/eternity. Get in the habit of doing this privately and publicly. When done with consistency, these 3 callings from the Word will help you to redeem the time and give a better account of each day. You will find more purpose in your day and really enjoy better tasting fruit :)
But we cannot end this blog without saying that the number 1 thing that will change the game is giving your life to Christ. I mean REALLY inviting Him to be the savior of your soul and receiving the Holy Spirit as your gift and guide. This sole step opens the door for your personal relationship and immediately increases the value of eternity. Many Blessings, B. Loved