Start Living Life On Your Terms, And Wasting Less Time!

“Tempus fugit,” as the Ancient Romans said. Time flies.

It’s a truism we hear so often that we rarely reflect on what it means for our lives, both personal and professional. Those minutes and hours we waste on pointless activities and procrastination are, after all, the stuff out of which our life is made. One day we’ll look up and wonder where it all went. What were we doing that entire time? More than likely, wasting it.

People who move through life effectively do so by setting goals, and proceeding deliberately from one goal to another, like mileposts on their journey through time. Any wandering in circles or deviation from their charted path is wasted time, and wasted life. Sure, it’s nice to smell the roses along the way. But napping in them might not be such a good idea. Everything has its limits.

Many people have an especially hard time limiting their social time. Meeting people and spending time with friends is an invaluable component of human life—it’s what makes life worth living. But still, we need to prioritize, and to integrate our social lives with our other spheres of endeavor. Don’t let your friends and associates devour too much of your time with trifling requests and favors. Learn how to bow out of some of those countless obligations with some dignity. Here are a few tips for limiting your wasted time:

1. “Let me check with my secretary…”

Take a look at your schedule for the month. Chart your timetable several weeks in advance. Block out the time you’ll need for those important projects at work, the things that can’t be delayed. Then, see what’s left, and fit in those optional social engagements where you can. This way, when you do take a break from the grindstone to party a bit, you can do without feeling guilty, or having some deadline breathing down your neck.

2. “I’ll have to take a rain check on that one…”

Looking someone in the face and refusing an invitation can be very difficult, on a human level. You don’t want to hurt the person’s feelings—and besides, you yourself may be too shy or inhibited to refuse outright. One of the best methods is to delay a bit. Say that you’ll have to check your calendar; then, call or e-mail them later that day and give them that final, heart-breaking no. Let them down easy. Maybe some other time.

3. “Darn, my daughter’s piano recital is that day!”

Family. No one can dispute that excuse. Family is off-limits. Is someone inviting you to some event you know will be a waste of time? No need to be mean. Just fabricate some life-changing family event that “your wife will kill you if you miss.” There’s no arguing with that one! You’d love to come, but you don’t have much choice in the matter.

4. “I’m a very busy person…”

OK, that sounds a bit pompous. But that’s the general drift of this tip. If someone’s bombarding you with silly invitations, just make some general comments about how busy you’ve been. Mix in some family issues, some work deadlines, or maybe a looming business trip. Maybe your mother-in-law’s visiting. Maybe you and your wife need some private time.

Take back control over your valuable time. The people around you will chew you to pieces if you give all of them a minute of your time, every time they ask. Those minutes add up to a lifetime. Start living life on your terms, and wasting less time!