The technology advances in support of renewable energy and recycled materials continue at a tremendous pace to ensure we protect the precious resources we have on our planet for future generations to enjoy.

The conversation gets kind of quiet when it comes to the technological advances on increasing our time. We face the same challenges people did 2,000 years ago and most likely those challenges will be the same for people 2,000 years from now.  We cannot make any more time.  We all get 24 hours each day and that is it.  

As we continue on our journey to build and strengthen our character, how we guard our time will be a series of important decisions we make daily that will impact our growth and our relationships.

Here a few thoughts on the importance of guarding our time:

 (1) Time is the great equalizer in our world. It does not matter how rich or how poor, how intelligent or how ignorant, how privileged or how shunned, everyone gets the same amount every day.  There will never be the possibility of a Congressional mandate to redistribute time from those who have plenty to those who have little.  With an equal amount granted to everyone, those who use it wisely reap the greatest rewards regardless of their current situation.

 (2) Time is our most precious asset.

“All my possessions for a moment of time.” Queen Elizabeth on her deathbed in 1603 

Most of us have experienced the clarity that comes with an end of life experience for someone we love and respect.  We have no desire to find out how the stock market closed, take a call from a customer, review the highlights from the big game, or check an update from our favorite social media platform.  In those closing moments, the priorities of life get simple and clear.  We remain focused on family, friends, and shared experiences with those we love.

 (3) Time is easy to track. Similar to how we can quickly determine our priorities when we review our bank or credit card statement, we can do the same for time with our calendars. 

• Just like writing down our goals, when we place things on our calendar, there is a certain clarity, objectivity, and force that gets things accomplished. If it is important, put it on the calendar.
• Be careful of gaps or unaccounted for time in our calendar. Many times, these gaps are spent drifting somewhat aimlessly with our favorite diversion or method of “chilling out”.
• Block time to think, assess, and refine the priorities of our life. The busyness of our calendar is not a proxy for success.  We need time to think, plan, and be intentional about the priorities of life. Sitting and thinking maybe a higher priority than hustling to “do something” for the next hour.

As we make daily decisions to guard our time, we build and strengthen our character and Character Creates Opportunity for us to reach our full potential.