The key is in not spending time: Today’s inspiration is from Stephen Covey about Time, how we perceive it and the value we give to it. This quote comes from his book – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, where Time Management plays a significant role. In this article, we will explore the meaning of – the key is not in spending time but investing it. We are often taught that we have the time to spend, but the truth is – this is the one resource we are always short of. If we treat it as a currency to spend, it loses value, the opportunity to grow and work for us.
Instead, if we treat money as a resource, something that can grow and give us returns, we will be more careful with it. The quote takes on a different meaning based on how we define time. We know that our time in the world is limited – yet sometimes, we spend this time as if it is infinite. The spirit of time management tells us to treat this with due care. Stephen Covey puts a very interesting spin to it by considering it as a resource, to make sure that we use it in a way that it can serve us in the future.
The key is in not spending time, but in investing it
Stephen R. Covey
The key is in not spending time, but in investing it, meaning
Time management is tricky – we often get distracted with things that are urgent but not important. The classic Eisenhower Matrix tells us to focus our time on doing things that are most important to us. These things are closely linked to our values, and definitions of who we are as people. A most important point to note is that we all know and are usually aware of what’s most important to us. If not, please start a list – unless we know, there’s no way we will be able to dedicate time to do something about it.
Successful, efficient people know where this lies. The 7 habits of highly effective people talk about a few of these characteristics that we can use. Although the book is an opportunity to talk about some behavioural facets, I love the way Time is treated by Stephen Covey in this book. Time is something to invest – so that it can yield long-standing results. This investment can be in the development of skills, investing in relationships or learning -anything that gives us joy and has the potential to give us lasting results. We usually have this level of due diligence for money. Why not for time? Is that because we take time for granted?
Again these are very important questions to ask ourselves and be honest. If we are taking time for granted, we can find a way to stop it or create different time management tactics that help us reach our goals. Ultimately, it all comes down to how we treat time and what it means to us. An investment is probably a beautiful way to look at time. It can help us treat it with respect and the diligence it deserves.
What did Stephen Covey say about Change?
How we treat time is dependent on how willing we are to change. The first step for any change is to start from within. We can request for the world and people around us to change. But it won’t work. Unless we are ready to take charge, nothing powerful can happen in life. Change is something that we will have to drive. I’d like to talk about 2 such quotes from Stephen Covey about change
To change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.”
Change cannot happen in a vacuum – it needs a drive and focus. This is perhaps the hardest part because we need to look within to understand what needs to change. Let’s make it a little easier. Instead, let’s focus on what we want and what’s stopping us from getting there. We as humans can be very good at critical and objective thinking. If we use that, we can find out our blockers for success or fulfilment. And this change is usually through a change of lens on how we view things. It has everything to do with our perspective and the best way to get this perspective is by talking to people. They can help us look at things differently. While talking to people, make sure that you also talk to some who don’t agree with your line of thought. This is where you’ll get the most value from.
“If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting.”
This is so close to Einstein’s definition of insanity – doing the same thing but expecting different results. We can’t afford to waste away our life like this. Remember, time is something to invest. And if we want something to happen, we will need immense change. We can start from perception, but the bigger the change, the more impactful its result. But life will be the same or worse if we do nothing about it. The only thing we can do is take responsibility and make change happen.
What did Stephen Covey say about Communication?
Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply
Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.
We see the world, not as it is, but as we are──or, as we are conditioned to see it
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