How to Spend Time on What You Value: Embracing Change and Breaking Free from Past Choices

How to Spend Time on What You Value: Embracing Change and Breaking Free from Past Choices

Introduction:

Our expectation, our hope, is that time is in our control and we’ll use it wisely, whatever that means. But it doesn’t work that way. The reality is that many of us don’t really know how to use our time at all. Eighty percent of working adults report feeling time poor, like they have too many things to do in a day and not enough time to do them. This affects our relationships, our physical health, and our ability to feel like we’re making progress in personally important goals.

Connecting Time and Self-Consistency:

So it’s interesting, here in the United States, you go to a party, you meet somebody and the icebreaker is, “What do you do?” And it’s like, “Yeah, CEO; I work 80-hour weeks.” People think you’re a big shot. In Spain, the icebreaker question is, “Where are you going on vacation?” This highlights the different ways we prioritize and value our time.

But what about the self-consistency fallacy? This fallacy is why you may choose a new job based on your past roles and why you may stay within your field of study even when your interests have evolved. The same goes for our health choices. You may stick to your running routine and miss out on the potential benefits of other activities like swimming, yoga, or weight training. Or you may hold onto dietary habits because it’s “what I’ve always done”—such as a meat-eater automatically disregarding plant-based diets.

Escaping the Old Choices:

John Maynard Keynes puts it: “The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping the old ones, which ramify, for those brought up as most of us have been, into every corner of our minds.” This quote emphasizes the challenge of breaking free from our past choices and embracing new opportunities. Are there opportunities that I have dismissed because they don’t fit my existing trajectory? What new paths might I be able to explore if I were not bound by my past choices? What would my ideal career look like if I could start from a blank slate?

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace Change: Instead of sticking to what you've always done, be open to new ideas and opportunities. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and explore different paths. Embracing change allows for personal growth and the chance to discover new passions and interests.

• 2. Reflect and Reevaluate: Take time to reflect on your current choices and evaluate whether they align with your values and goals. Consider if there are areas in your life where you can make changes to better prioritize your time and focus on what truly matters to you.

• 3. Experiment and Explore: Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment with different activities, hobbies, or career paths. This can help you discover hidden talents, interests, and opportunities that you may have never considered before. Exploring new possibilities can lead to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

Conclusion:

In a world where time feels scarce and the pressure to conform to past choices is strong, it is crucial to learn how to spend time on what you truly value. By embracing change, breaking free from the self-consistency fallacy, and reflecting on our choices, we can create a life that aligns with our passions and goals. Remember, it's never too late to start anew and prioritize what truly matters to you. So, go out there, explore, and spend your time on what you value most.