An article about “efficiency” would likely appeal to those individuals seeking to get more done in a day, week, month, or a lifetime. However, this is not that type of article. Many of us have far too many goals and things on our to-do list. Even if we had a lifetime, we would not complete them all. I don’t think we came into this life to see how much we could achieve or get done, but rather choose those thoughts, feelings, activities, and conditions that really make us feel fully alive and vibrant.
How often do you busy yourself with things that do not matter? Do you allocate your resources (time, energy, money) intentionally? Most people do not achieve their biggest dreams because they do not manage their lives, and thus their resources, effectively. They are wasting efforts on things that don’t matter while spending little on what does matter. It is time to start treating your resources (time, energy, money) as valuable treasures to be allocated only to those people or activities that are consistent with your highest ideals and goals.
It may benefit you to do a cost versus benefit analysis of the major areas of your life that you dedicate your time, energy, and money—including work, relationships, extracurricular activities, education, etc. This analysis should not be viewed solely in material terms (e.g., how many hours you work and how much money you earn); instead, try to view this exercise in terms of how much time, energy, and money you are offering compared with the quality of effects those offerings produce (e.g., meaningful work, relational development, helping others, respect, love, appreciation, enjoyment, inspiration, personal growth, etc.).
Here are some suggestions for reaching greater efficiency of your time, energy, and resources:
Time management:
Focus on what matters most and give it your full attention. Be fully present, alive, and awake in the moment. Today’s society overemphasizes the benefits of multitasking. However, you cannot make the best of where you are if you are distracted or focused on other things. Learn to notice, appreciate, and savor the many gifts you’ve been given each day—a nice meal, a beautiful sight, the care from a loved one, an inspiring song, the help you gave a friend, love from an animal, or other good in your life.
Eliminate time wasters, or those things that you think and do that do not benefit you in any way. Television, in my opinion, is a big time waster. Many watch tv, play video games, or surf the web to tune out the world and relax, but wouldn’t meditation serve the same purpose and be a more efficient use of time? Try it! Tune in rather than tune out.
Energy management:
Everything you engage in is a mental and physical energy investment. Energetically, what you get from anything depends on what you give. A Course in Miracles says, “Only what you have not given can be lacking in any situation” (Schucman, 2007, p. 366). This does not necessarily mean that you must give more in terms of quantity or effort, but rather in terms of quality. You may spend numerous hours at a job or in a relationship, while not putting your soul into it. As a result, you will not get much benefit or meaning in it. When you give of yourself, be sure that you are efficiently using your mental and physical energy in a way that benefits you and others. The results will be inspiring!
Energy management has to do with the spirit with which you engage in each aspect of life. As you dedicate your energy toward any task or project, give of yourself in a meaningful, enthusiastic, loving, and positive way. While physical energy is a finite resource, your spiritual energy is unlimited; therefore, try to lead from your spiritual energy so that you can stay inspired while you do physical activities. Respect your body and mind though, and allow them to rest when needed.
Money management:
We all need money to live in the world, but too many become slaves to their material lives. This usually does not nurture happiness. Strive to live simply within your means and learn to cultivate that which really increases your happiness (spiritual growth, positive relationships, meaningful activities, creativity, etc.).
Money is a highly spiritual concept because, as a creator (created in a similar form from the Creator), you have the power to create whatever you desire in your life. However, creating a lot of material stuff without a proper spiritual perspective leads to negative repercussions—fear, greed, competition. It is okay to create abundance in the material world, but it is best done with a positive spiritual mindset along the way.
We gain knowledge by gathering various pieces of information throughout life. We gain wisdom by learning how to apply such knowledge in a constructive manner. We gain efficiency by applying such knowledge and wisdom toward the proper management of time, energy, and money, which can lead us to the life we desire most.
References
Schucman, H. (1975/2007). A course in miracles. New York: Viking.