"Waste Not, Want Not"

It is an old proverb. "Waste not, want not." It's truth seems pretty clear. To the degree your life is filled with waste, you will leave areas of your life in need. Choosing to manage the waste in your life can solve a lot of problems. The truth is none of us waste on purpose. It is reactive behavior. So, you have to begin with a waste examination.

Time might be a great place to begin. How much time do you waste? Time wasted is time not purposed. To not waste time, does not mean constant "busyness". It simply means you don't allow life to happen to you. It means you are not "counter punching" with life as it comes at you. Rather, you happen to life. You prioritize. You simplify. You say no. Time is life's most significantly endangered species. It must be valued and protected.

Conviction becomes an essential companion for effective time management. What is your belief system? To the degree you have no real conviction about life, to that degree, there will always be waste. Conviction produces priority. You will get the things done you believe are most important. Get clear about it.

Simplifying life is an important time management step. You cannot get it all done. There are choices you must make everyday between really good things. You will always have the natural tendency to do them all. Waste begins when you are unrealistic about your capacity. Life has only so many hours. One hundred and sixty-eight hours per week to be specific. Choice is the essential tool for managing waste. Exercise it wisely.

While managing time might be the starting point for waste management, managing energy would be the next. Taking responsibility for your choices is an essential. Allowing others to establish your priorities creates waste. It will result in resentment and depression. You will ultimately resent others for the choices they make for you. You will begin to use them as your excuse for wasting life. Playing the victim results in depression. Waste.

So, it is time get rid of the waste in your life. At least, begin to manage it more effectively. To some degree, waste is a product of our humanness. At the same time, life is the gift you have been created to live. Time and energy are the elements you must protect. Remember, "waste not". Just start with the first half of that proverb. Focus and go for it. Do well, my friends.


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