We are all Busy

When you ask people how they are, often you get the response “busy”.  It is not really a descriptive state (like I am happy and well, or I am not feeling good because I am fighting a cold), but it sounds as if answering the question itself is a chore, another item on the to-do list in the midst of this busyness.
Whether you think it’s fair or not, we are all given 24 hours a day.  Within the day, some of us have more latitude to choose, while others less, how we allocate time between essentials (sleep, eat, work/school, etc.) and discretionary (play, hobby, etc.).
Those we call workaholics put most time towards professional achievements and less for other activities, perhaps even relationships, while others work stable hours and spend personal time towards hobbies or groups.  When you see people being good at something outside of their profession, it is no accident.  They chose to dedicate time to work on and improve their craft (may it be art, music, interior design, sports, investing). Others may spend their time building relationships with their friends and family, caring for them.
Entertainment provides relaxation and enjoyment but be very careful how it can suck up time. There is an enormous industry (social media, streaming video, etc.) built around the rich rewards for people’s time and attention. You are the product they are selling. They are good at exploiting our psychology to give us what “feels good”.  Do not fall for their baits and allow them to build habits for you that reward them while pushing you away from your goals.
Managing time is about managing priorities. If you don’t set them for yourself, others will set them for you. Pick the big rocks and put them in the jar yourself, and the small rocks and sand will still fill in the cracks. If you don’t even do that, you may find yourself hailing others’ rocks.  Let your purpose guide you and focus on the long-term when you make decisions on how to spend your time – how will it impact you 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 years later?
Our time is the most important asset that is not replaceable. I once joked with my best friend that we work to exchange time for money when we are young, then later on buy time with money.  Invest wisely and towards things that are meaningful to you.