We have heard about the term return on investment (ROI). This is a term which we use in association with even our personal finance, depicting the returns that we are garnering through the monetary investments. The investment is considered good or bad based on the percentage returns we derive through these investments. However, any average investor is wise enough to choose those investment instruments which get him or her better returns.
Similarly, here we consider time (collection of moments) also as an investment. Usually people have different perceptions about time like, we just have to pass our time, time has to be enjoyed, time should be spend without any boringness, time should be utilized, time is a resource and so on.
Just think about any results that you like to derive in the future. An important aspect which accounts for accomplishing those results is in direct relationship with the amount of time you invest in building strategies, planning and preparing and execution. Hence we find that the investment of time in matters of value gets us results or returns in relation to time. Therefore we say that if we invest time in matters or activities of value we are sure to derive returns that enhance the quality of our life. This qualitative appreciation of our life is nothing more than the return on moments (ROM), for the time we invested wisely broadening our knowledge, sharpening our skill sets and deepening our wisdom.
| Time invested on the activity | Returns |
| Learning and preparing for the civil services exam 5 hrs a day for 6 years | Can begin your career in the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS cadre |
| Reading and researching on a subject for 4 hrs a day for 10 years | Will make you a national expert in that domain |
| Training and Coaching in an athletic event of your passion on a regular basis along with daily 3 hours of practice for 10 years | Will make you a renowned athlete in the country |
| Meditation, exercises, sports etc are integrated into one’s life and has one exclusive hour per day for that. | Will make you healthy |
| Allotting an hr per day for investment education and re looking personal finance including reviewing of stocks and portfolio reallocation. | Will make you wealthy |
Story
A professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks right to the top, rocks about 2″ diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students laughed.
He asked his students again if the jar was full? They agreed that yes, it was.
The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is your life.
The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, and your children -anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed. Hence, invest your time on your most important things.
Activity
Write down an activity upon which you are interested in investing your time so that you get a reward that you desire.
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Quote
- “The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” — Stephen Covey
Takeaways
- The investment of time in matters of value gets us results or returns in relation to time.
- The qualitative appreciation of our life is nothing more than the return on moments (ROM), for the time we invested wisely broadening our knowledge, sharpening our skill sets and deepening our wisdom.
