Patrick Rhone[1. If anyone knows how this ended up in my Instapaper queue, let me know, and I’ll toss a via link on this post] back in 2008:
I would posit that if your principle motivation for anything – your career, your blog, etc. – is money, you will often find the value of those activities lacking. Be not concerned with the money that you gained or lost. Instead, be concerned with the time you had, the experiences and people that filled it, and the lessons and trust you built by using it effectively. And then, resolve to increase the value of that time and trust in the year to come.
I agree, and there’s something much bigger than just money at play in the “value” conversation.
Over the last year or so, I’ve started looking at decisions — of all kinds — through a single filter:
Does this add value to my life?
Of course, that question means different things when applied to different decisions, but the core of it doesn’t change.
The fact is, we all have limited time on this Earth. We’re never promised tomorrow. So, would you rather spend 45 minutes on Facebook, or 45 minutes playing blocks with your kids? Watch TV or go for a run? Read Mac Rumors or read the book of Romans?
Sadly, most choices aren’t super clear. Many decisions in life are between two good things, not one bad and one good thing.
So, maybe we should all be asking what adds the most value.
This is hard. I’m still choosing the wrong things all the time, which is frustrating. But the hard work is worth it. By cutting out what is unnecessary (or worse, hurtful), I can live a better life, and be a better husband, father, employee, boss and friend.
And that adds value to not only myself, but those around me.