When you think of buying something, what do you think of? Probably the money you have to spend to purchase your latte, dinner, movie, or night out. We think in terms of cash.
But…
We don’t buy things with our money. We really buy things with our time.
Think about it… How do you earn your money? You typically put in your time at the office, in the shop, or on the road. While you may produce results, a new product, or something else, it’s all related to your time. You’re giving up your life for the money you’re earning.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
–Carl Sandburg
The more I’ve pondered this, the more I’ve begun to realize what the products or services I buy really cost me. It’s not the dollar bills I pull from my wallet or the credit card bill I pay at the end of the month.
Each and everything I purchase costs me my time.
If you or I make $30 an hour and buy $30 worth of junk food, what will it cost us? Thirty dollars or one hour of our time?
It cost us one hour.
We’re Spending Our Life
Time is money says the proverb, but turn it around and you get a precious truth. Money is time.
–George Gissing
As you begin to realize this, you begin to understand we’re not spending money. We’re spending our lives. We’ve set a value on our time when we determine what we’re willing to accept for our wages. So do the people you lead.
Every time you reach into your pocket to pay, think about what you’re buying. Will it add value to your life? Will you feel good about the purchase tonight? Tomorrow? Three months from now?
You’ll begin to spend your money differently as you begin to look at what it is truly costing you. It’s not just the physical dollars you’re spending. You’re spending your life.
Is It Worth Your Life?
The world says that time is money, but I say that money is time. In order to earn enough money to satisfy his desires, one must sacrifice inordinate amounts of time. For me, that sacrifice is too great.
–Israel Meir Kagan
Will you start asking yourself this question: Is it worth your life? Is what I’m purchasing worth the time I traded for the dollars I’m spending?
Every time you spend your money on something, you’re really spending your time.
Make sure what you’re buying is worth your life.
