5 Better Ways to Spend Your Time

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This year can be one of the greatest of your life or the same as every other year. The thing that determines what kind of year you’ll have is how you spend your time. Time is the one resource we’ll never get back. Each of us only gets one life to live. Each moment is precious and should be used on the things that will better your life, and help you reach the goals you’ve set for yourself this year.

For 12 years I didn’t think about how I spent my time because I was just trying to survive. I was living paycheck-to-paycheck; I was 170 pounds overweight, and living in a place that had us fearing for our life.

I wasted a lot of time that I’ll never get back. I don’t dwell on it because holding onto the past can keep you stuck. When I got serious about making changes, I used every second of my time focused. Here are five better ways to spend your time and ensure an incredible year.

1. Living fully present  

In the chaos of life it’s easy to get caught up in all the things we have to do. We’re busy people these days and there’s a wealth of distractions. Even when we’re with our loved ones, we have to check our phones. We can’t miss what’s new on Facebook. Right?

Living fully present means you focus. You put the phone away and listen to what your kids are saying. You ignore email so that you not only listen; you understand what your spouse is telling you. Living life this way ensures you’re not wasting time and you’re spending it living each moment.

2. Working on your dream

Life is short and at the end of it, you’ll look back and remember. That will either be depressing or bring a smile to your face depending on what you do now. Spending 40 plus hours in a job or business you don’t love will suck the life out of you.

Choose to spend your time working on making your dream your reality. Spending your time trying to rationalize complacency will only lead to a life of regrets. Your dreams can bring you true freedom with your time, and in your life.

3. Improving your health

Your health affects every other area of your life. To accomplish everything you want in life, you’re going to need energy. Investing your time in exercise and eating foods that give your body nourishment, will pay dividends.

4. Dating your spouse

I don’t care how long you’ve been married; you must always date your spouse. Just because the ring goes on both of your fingers, and you sign that official document, doesn’t mean the romance dies. I would argue that you have to work even harder.

Take time to get out, and away from the kids, and rekindle that love as you glaze into each other’s eyes. The secret to a strong marriage is constantly working on growing together. Love is a decision and dating each other helps reaffirm that.

5. Avoiding situations that end up being distractions

It’s easy to get distracted by all that’s available to us these days. You log onto your laptop to check email, and before you know it, an hour is gone reading the latest gossip. There are things that seem like they will help you, but in the end waste your time and hold you back.

It can be a fade diet, it can be a job or business that you think is right for you, or it can be a destination that seems like it’s perfect for you. You could spend your precious time and energy chasing rabbits down holes that don’t end. Once you come back up for air, you’ll realize you were on the wrong path all along. This year focus has to be the priority.

If you want to see progress, I mean more progress than you’ve ever seen before; you have to use your time wisely. Get laser focused on the things that are important to the life you want to lead.

If you’re reading this, you’re alive. That’s reason enough to smile and realize it’s possible. Eliminate “can’t” from your vocabulary and start doing something about those big goals and dreams. You only get one life to live. Make it count.

What are some things you plan to focus your time on this year?

This week’s articles

The 6 Things You Must Have to Successfully Transition Out of Your Day Job

Entrepreneur Magazine

5 Ways Your Work Could Be Affecting Your Life

The Huffington Post

5 Things No One Tells You About Being a Parent

The Good Men Project

Photo: Flickr/ Fabíola Medeiros