“Time Famine:”

Because Time is What People Desire Even More Than Wealth

 

 

Since 1972, Pew Research has conducted surveys on how happy people are. And you know what they’ve found?

Over time, half the people report feeling so-so, about a third are very happy, and about a fifth are not too happy.

The results are remarkably consistent across the decades.

The question is, if you’re not happy – how can you get into that top group? And if you’re already there – how can you stay there?

Well you can’t buy your way into it.

The study suggests in most cases…

Money is Not What we Desire to Make us Happy

So what is it?

A successful career?  Family?  Children?

These are all 2-4 on the list.

No, there is one thing that we crave more than anything else.

I’m not discounting how important family and contributing meaningfully to society is.

Rather – this survey highlights a real problem that we haven’t solved yet.

A Growing “Epidemic” – Time Famine

Pew Research showed that what matters to us more than money…is having free time.

Sixty-eight percent, almost 7 in 10 surveyed responded that having free time was very important, compared to 12 percent saying being wealthy.

By a margin of almost 6 to 1, free time beat out wealth as what people desire most.

And you know why?

Because in spite of how difficult things may be for some people, the truth is the common burden we all share is “time famine.”

Time famine  is “the feeling of having too much to do and not enough time to do it”

That’s why so many people daydream of well…free time to daydream, rather than have a lot of money.

And I can relate – because the truth is…

I’ve Experienced Time Famine Myself

I just thought I had too much to do.  I thought I had to prioritize and manage my time better.

And while certainly I’ve improved my personal productivity: my research also showed I was not alone.

Time famine can also lead to exhaustion, difficulty sleeping well (or at all) and feeling like you just have to get through “one more thing” – except that feeling never goes away, because there is always yet another thing to do or be done.

Who Is Impacted Most by Time Famine?

Perhaps most ironic:  highly successful, highly paid people may actually be more likely to experience time famine than those who are not as financially well-off.

Why?

Some theories suggest that at higher levels of income, a “winner take all” mentality starts to take over – and this leads to a type of time “arms race” where the highest performers are trying to outdo each other.

Another theory goes that high income earners simply are responding to the incentives put in front of them by society as a whole, and can’t help but be stretched for time.

The research is still on-going, but I want to step back for a minute to consider…

The Bigger Picture of Time Famine

See, when one person finds themselves lacking time, I would say their choices lead them there.

However, what I’ve described now is a far reaching phenomenon.

Time famine isn’t just impacting a small group here and there – I believe it points to a trend in how we value our time in society.

Think about this:

  • People reportedly are feeling busier than ever…and yet most people also predict they will be more busy next year
  • People report they don’t have enough time for their families, even though family is very important
  • People on their deathbeds report they wished they had lived a life true to themselves…and yet the research shows people don’t feel they can choose where their time goes.

What does all this mean?

The Bottom Line: This is a Serious Problem

Here’s my point: time famine is a serious problem.

It first showed up in research a couple decades ago, and if you cannot control how you spend your days…how then can you control what goes on in your life?

However, now we’ve at least identified and started to discuss the problem. The question then becomes: how do we solve it?

The Good News – There Is A Solution

All hope is not lost however.

I went from a place of not having enough time for myself, to finally having time to spend with my family, friends and personal projects – while still advancing in my career, while still improving my body.

How?

I got to a place that researchers call time affluence.

It started with a mindset shift where I started to value my time much more heavily than I used to, and then I started making changes in my life to make more time for myself.

What’s Next? How I Got Here

In this three part series, we’re going to discuss time famine, what I discovered and tried in my own life, and what you can do about it in your life.

We’re just getting started – I’ll dig into this more in Part 2. Stay tuned

And if you’ve enjoyed this article – please consider sharing it with your friends, so they can get the rest of the series as well.

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“I Thought that I was your FAVORITE?”

 

“We … little “RED ROBINS”… just flew by… to WAKE… YOU – – – – YOU old sleepy head!”

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“We… “RED ROBIN BIRDS” stick together – – You heard that song … “When the Red Robin  comes …”

 

“If you want to be a “KID” again… do what you did again… “WAKE UP” – – you old sleepy head!”

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“TODAY… I came by your window – – just wanted to take your cares away… and just  “CHEER…  YOU UP –  – – YOU OLD SLEEPY-HEAD”

“What do I need to do… to  – – just … WAKE you up?”


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“Do CARDINALS… SING to YOU, too?”

“One “sweet-bird singer” and right in the  tree next to my bed-room window:

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“Today… the GRAND-CHILDREN came over… for Brunch – – and while we were sitting at the table”  – – JAIME  exclaimed… “Look at that beautiful Cardinal on the porch rail!”

Well… of course we all had to tum our heads   to  look – – and  Jaime asked… “Should I take a picture?” – -We are all looking and saying  – – how beautiful this “CARDINAL” is – – and this is the one bird that likes “ME” – – as it sings so nice and loud…  as it sits on the Telephone line…. just out-side the bedroom window. 

Of course with all of us having to look at just this one “BIRD”  – – back to the tree – – for safety  – – the flight is only seconds… away – – and of course  – – the camera is too late…  for the PHOTO of the year!

The “CARDINALS” live in a “DOUGLAS” type Christmas tree – – standing there for “sixty” years – – has the best living quarters  for this family of birds. So close to the house and porch – – and easy for all the young members… “baby birds”… to learn the ropes of where to get a free and quick meal… at my house. Also… for backup – – there is always the “SUNSET PARK” and the “MISSOURI RIVER”  with a short “FLIGHT “line for the bigger and even better eats – – the birds will not run out of food and water – – and once in a while – – –   an EAGLE will be perched up high – –  and let all the “BIRDS” know what to expect in our area!


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“My very FAVORITE little BIRD’

 

Today – we had several storms come in – and for awhile – I thought each one would end – but not the case. So, as I was sitting at the dining table and having a light snack – my very “favorite little bird” came to visit me.

As I am sitting there – and watching this “bird” – tip toe over that porch rail – looking for something good to eat – as in every few tippy-toe…  steps – a little scratch for some little…   “teeny tiny tid-bits.”

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So, since the storm is blowing rain and upsetting my Miss “Scrounger” – She is not going to be run off by this “rain storm”  – – – as “Miss Scrounger” knows there is something good for her here – she just has to find it. That’s what I like about this little bird – she  is about the smallest of birds to come and look for something good to eat – and she digs around in every little crack and cranny – just pecking around until she finds just what she likes!

 Well, today  my little scrounger must have more time on her hands – as the wind was blowing and the rain kept a coming – and –  she must have figured  – – “no sense in me getting drenched in  all of this heavy stuff ” – “I’ll just investigate spots on this porch – like I never did before!”

 “Little Miss Scrounger” takes a little tip toe and bounce and down on the outside of the porch rail and then into a little “peep hole” and onto the rail under the top rail – with some real investigation skills – tip toe and a few more quick  “dance” steps  – I know just what she was thinking – “this looks like some of the “bird houses” that I took a little “peek” into  – but this one –  just looks like a “giant” size  – birdhouse, to me!”

 Now that “Miss Scrounger” had so much fun – finding new and private quarters – that only she was able to maneuver in and around –  I’m betting that she will be back – looking in these new hiding places for some “good eats” – like the man said on TV – everyone  – even the “BIRDS” look for and enjoy “Good Eats!”

 Well, I did have a few other things to do –  and so I could not watch my favorite “little bird” – but now  – that she  has had so much fun in that new discovery of  her’s – I’ll be putting some of her special “bird seed” in those same places – and I’ll soon find out if she really enjoyed – doing her little “tip toe and bounce dance” – like only she can do  –  “I sure enjoy watching my favorite, ” Miss Scrounger”  – doing her special “tip toe  and bounce dance” – just for me!”

 

P.S. “We old ‘BIRDS” have to fly and stick… together!”


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“Counting My BLESSINGS… TODAY!”

 

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Click on the above letter from the “PINK SISTERS” on Warne Avenue – Saint Louis, Missouri  –  just so you can read it better in  a size larger.

This letter is addressed to my GRAND-MOTHER, Anne  Smart Brady, a wonderful woman who had the strength to do all of  her own Baking, Cooking and tending to a household of thirteen  (13) – as you know –  my Mother, Marie Brady McClarren  was the 13th and last child!

This letter was  a note of Thanksgiving for Blessings received – as the “PINK SISTERS”  spend all  of their time in prayer  – for all the intentions of all those who wish to request their prayers   – as the more that  we pray for something special – we  will receive that  which  – the Almighty knows that  we may have “NEED” of – It is the needs  we have  – that are answered  – –  our  wants that –  end up in a selfish request –  sometimes – never see the light of day.

The back side of the above note  is an  encouraging   note of  letting Grandma Brady know  – that her and all of  the BRADY  FAMILY will be remembered in CHRISTMAS  BLESSINGS and Prayers for all the intentions of all  their  needs – with a note that they will be praying further –  for Mr Brady’s health and strength to be returned soon .  – This note was signed by “MOTHER M. ROSE”  – as  (your friend in C J )

I am grateful and Thankful that this letter survived all these many years – as I notice that  Mother Rose used the word  “rejoiced” –  I feel that the using the word “JOY” is so much better – than to just say  that you are “HAPPY” for someone. What do you think???

 One other thing – I just wanted the world to know that someone that I was praying for – called today to tell me – – that they received an “ALL CLEAR” of cancer  –  which they were being treated far – and they are now feeling so much better with this  good news.  So, all praise  and the glory  – be to the Almighty for prayers that have been answered! Amen.                                                                                                                  


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“LOOKING GOOD and DONATING BLOOD”

Have a picture of my Grand-daughter, Alyssa Aldrich –she is giving “blood “on her Lunch Hour  – and with that  big smile – you can see she is enjoying  – – the giving of  the  “best gift”  – one’s own blood…  to save another’s LIFE!

March is the Red Cross Month – and I am so proud of Alyssa for caring enough to give her own blood – and without having been, even asked to do so.

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When Alyssa, e-mailed this photo over to me – it was the best picture to have received – I just had to make a couple of copies  – immediately!

I used to give blood years ago and  was a RED CROSS volunteer worker…  for the grade school that my sons were attending – so you know how long ago that was.  There came a time- – –  when  my blood decided to change. Each time that you go to one of their  “DONATION” set-ups…   they do a  test to be sure you have enough iron – my blood would not do the drop and spin test  – and then they just could not get my blood to fill up the require amount needed for a successful donation? Guess that is what happens – – when you gave too many times and did not restore the “IRON” into your  own system???

Looks like I needed to take “iron supplements”  – and still have to take my vitamins – -one of the signs that the foods  – – that I like best – – do not do for the body – – that which  – – I wish that they would do.


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