Time, money, and energy. These are the currencies which we exchange on a daily basis. As an employee, you exchange time and energy for money. As an employer, you exchange money for time and energy. One can spend time and energy to conserve money or one can spend money to conserve time and energy. Got it?
Amidst the big exchanges like employment and outsourcing, there are little exchanges one can do to improve ones quality of life. Today I want to discuss these little exchanges.
To start, there are a few ways one can use time and energy. Learning a new skill or subset of skills usually takes more time and energy than money and therefore can be beneficial if time and energy are abundant. This can be accomplished by reading, writing, listening, observing, and doing said skills (again which takes time and energy).
Another way is to make decisions based on the how much time and energy one has. For example, if a mechanic repairs 30 vehicles a week and is asked to do a repair in their off-time (overtime pay), it’s reasonable to assume that the mechanic will decline the repair. Why is this?
Well, the mechanic already has fixed 30 vehicles that week. Let’s say that the time it takes to repair a vehicle averages 1.5 hours. For 30 vehicles, that’s a total of 45 work hours. The mechanic already traded 45 work hours (time and energy) for money that week.
Now, let’s say that the mechanic also volunteers and has a family. One can start to see that time and energy is not in abundance for the mechanic. It is here that we can reasonably assume the decline of the off-time repair as time and energy might be considered more valuable than money.
A more clearer example would be that of the student. Most students don’t have a lot of money. However, what they lack in money they make up with time. This time is usually filled with going to class, studying, volunteering, and the odd part-time job.
The student in this example will most likely value money more than time and energy. This is due to their situation as a student. Therefore, the student might spend time and energy so that they can save money. A good example of this would be with textbooks. The student might buy a second-hand or third-hand textbook to save money. However, the textbook might be the wrong version for the class and therefore, they will have to spend time and energy retrieving the revisions from their classmates.
Now, what does all of this have to do with improving one’s quality of life?
One can exchange time, energy, and/or money to make their life a little better!
Spend some time and energy taking care of yourself. Make sure that you are drinking enough water and eating appropriately. Make time for yourself to get ready in the morning and time to wind down in the evening. This is reduce the amount of stress you put on yourself.
Spend money on things that will actually make your life easier (but not too easy!). There are three things that I recommend buying: good shoes, a good chair, and a good bed. Chances are that you spend most of your day in one or all three of these things. Don’t skimp out on these purchases! Who do you think will be more healthier (and happier) in a year, the person who skimps on these things, or the person who doesn’t?
A note of caution, it can be very easy to use the above statements as your reason to overspend! There comes a point of diminishing returns and it’s in ones best interest to know where that point is. The point is different for different people and I suggest finding yours.
Overall, there are three “currencies” that most people have: time, energy, and money. Based on ones circumstances, one currency can be seen to be more valuable than another. It is also beneficial to spend these currencies in ways that improve your quality of life.
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What are your thoughts on the simple ways to improve ones quality of life? Do you agree or disagree with the opinions expressed? Are there better ways one can improve their life? Leave your comments below and tell me what you think!