“To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”–Bruce Lee
There is opportunity that presents itself every moment. It is our choice on which opportunities we capitalize.
I use the phrase “opportunity cost” with increasing frequency with my students. In most of these cases, it is relation to exercise and sports conditioning. I believe it has equal or greater application in our daily lives—in our pursuit of “well-centered fitness” and personal growth.
In behavior modification, it is central to most of the major theories of behavioral change. Given a task, we immediately weigh the costs and benefits involved. It is not an absolute that we will go in the direction of greatest (perceived) benefit. This is indeed the easy, comfortable route, but for one who is growth-oriented sometimes the immediate costs are investments in what will be delayed benefits. (Indeed, most benefits of exercise are such.) So, in every action we take, we are choosing to forego some other action(s).
There are 24 hours in the day for one to use as one so chooses. Every minute spent doing one thing is a minute that could have been spent doing something else. Arnold Schwarzenneger, in a 2009 Commencement Address at the University of Southern California, famously said that “I’ve always figured out that there 24 hours a day. You sleep six hours and have 18 hours left. Now, I know there are some of you out there that say well, wait a minute, I sleep eight hours or nine hours. Well, then, just sleep faster, I would recommend.” While six hours of sleep might not be sufficient for everyone, the point is that the more time that is spent sleeping is the less time spent doing something else. What is most important is quality sleep. Being in bed for eight hours staring at the ceiling is not productive useful sleep. So, what I think Arnold is saying is that one should spend the remaining 18 ours of the day purposefully and effectively and sleep soundly.
Every minute spent awake involves a choice in how it is spent. Will I be frugal with my time or will I spend it foolishly? Will I invest this moment or will I squander it on that which has no lasting value?
An unfocused mind meanders. The focused mind is determined and purposeful. The deliberate person defies the perception of time. Each of us has 24 hours, but the intentional person manages to use time so effectively that it is as if he or she can create more time.
Consider how your day is spent. How much time is spent intentionally—i.e., doing things that yield growth and a return on investment?
Now, I am not implying that life should be “all work and no play.” Quite the contrary. The suggestion is that playtime should (for the most part) have some value—i.e., play with your children, enjoy dates with your spouse, spend time with friends, enjoy a mindless comedy, laugh, smile,…, enjoy life!
I struggle with my 11-year-old son over time spent playing video games. While, personally, I would prefer that he spend zero time playing such games, I do see some positive return for him. For one, it presents a limited opportunity for interaction with some of his buddies he sees on rather infrequent occasions where he can play with them online. Outside of school and sports, he has only a few friends in the immediate neighborhood, so he might, otherwise, be indoors by himself. Another benefit is in the skills that some gaming can provide. So, I bend a bit, limit the time he spends gaming, and encourage sports and other physical activity. As long as school work is getting done and he is getting some physical activity, I let him play. The time will come, though, when he will need to be shifting his focus. I am already sowing the seed and emphasizing the need for his time to be spent in accordance with his goals. In other words, I am having him begin to ask the question: “Is what I am doing going to bring me closer to attaining my goals?”
As the parent—as an adult—I have to practice what I preach. So, looking at my own use of time, am I working toward my goals and acting in ways that are consistent with my values? Are my activities moving me in the direction of “well-centeredness”? If not, the cost of my actions is great.
Social media can easily be a time-suck. A quick check of Facebook or Twitter can turn into mindless scrolling and counterproductive debate. I am learning to use wisdom in responding to posts (note: “learning”—it is a process!). One is advised to follow the proverb: “Answer a fool according to his folly…. Don’t answer a fool according to his folly.” Ask yourself, “does my post or comment add value to the recipient?” If not, it is not worth the effort.
As well, how we spend our time should be addressed with similar scrutiny. Does it add value. Does it benefit me and/or others? Does it benefit me (or others) spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially? One could add: Does it benefit me financially/professionally?
In the end, our decisions and corresponding actions have consequences for us and others. There is a cost to consider. Carpe momento!
“Life is the most exciting opportunity we have. But we have one shot.”—Andrew Shue