Have you ever stopped to think what your time is worth to you?

Last night I, along with many others, were informed that a leader in our business community has fallen extremely ill. Their family has created a blog to keep the community updated on the progress of their testing, treatment, and overall health.

I find myself thinking about their family, and what they are going through. Are they thinking about the time that they have spent together in the past? Do they remember all the laughter, and joy they have shared? What about all the lessons they have learned and the tears that they payed for that lesson with? What would they give to guarantee they could have more of that time together? How much would they be willing to spend to insure that they could load up their hearts with more of those shared times together?

I know that sound pretty shallow and materialistic, putting a price on life, but I want to turn this around on you as it did in my mind.

What are you doing right now? Are you making memories? Most definitely. Are they memories that you want to make? Are they memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life? More importantly are they memories that those around you that you care about the most will cherish? Are they memories of great times together, or of times missing you while you were away in your career? Memories of laughter and fun, or memories of stress and grief?

I have quite a list of memories from my short time here on earth. Some are grand, but other aren’t quite the memories I’d happy to have. I have some memories of working long hours away from my family members. Stressed, tired, frustrated memories that I would have rather not made. Memories made in time that I could have been with my family making great ones.

So looking back, what would I give to have less of those memories and more moments of joy and happiness with my loved ones? I don’t have enough money to pay for what I would give. I can tell you though, in ignorance, I sold those possible memories for much less. Memories seem to only be seconds long when replayed in my mind, but are worth so much more than I was reimbursed for the time spent not making them.

Let me ask you this. If you knew someone close to you was going to pass in two days, how much money would it take for you not to spend the last days with them? Hundreds?… Thousands?…  Millions?…

I’m pretty sure most people would answer there is no amount.

So what did you sell yesterday for? Your employer, or customers I’m sure bought it for much less. $10, $15, $20 and hour. Would it be worth it if you lost that loved one today? You just sold the last two days of their life for less than $500?

See, unfortunately, not many of us will know when that is going to happen. We won’t be given the warning so we can take vacation, or make a special trip to get in those great memories before our loved one passes. Which makes it so much more important for us to realize this ahead of time, and get into a position where treat our time as invaluable as it is.

 

I am blessed to have people in my life that are gracious enough to put up with my ignorance on this subject and just keep pointing me in the right direction. Leaders that have taught me to Define what I want in life, and what is important in to me. Learn from people who have achieved those things that I want. Surround my self with people who have achieved it. Then Do what they have done. See, contrary to what your teacher said, it’s OK to copy from those who have achieved. Even better when they help.

– Charles