A Lesson About Time From the Story People

​by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday morning, one of my favorite times of the week because whatever is on my mind is what's about to bubble to the surface, and it's never about marketing and business. Over the last few weeks, I've become very aware of how much time we all waste on things that don't matter. And what does matter is how our priorities change as we get older.

I'm a big fan of Brian Andreas and his Story People. You've all seen them in gift shops around the country. Sheila introduced me to him with a card that featured his work fifteen years ago. We then collected them and ended up with a feature wall in our bedroom. I'm rarely at a loss for words, but the Story People helped expand my thoughts about Sheila and our life together.

​I shared this "lesson" from the Story People many years ago, but here's my point. There's only enough time if you use time wisely. We all waste so much time on things that just don't matter. We stress and worry while the clock never stops ticking.

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At the risk of sounding like your grandfather giving you a lecture, time is your most valuable commodity. There's only enough time if you pay attention to what's truly important to you. You're the only one who can examine everything you're doing and decide what makes it into the "lifeboat."

And what survives are those things you're doing that make a difference - not to the outside world, but to your heart. It's all about what makes you smile when you get up every morning. It's what gets your heart pumping and creates that wonderful feeling of looking forward to each day.

Here's my point - you don't need to do a deep dive analysis of your life every day, but when you're feeling frustrated over your job, a relationship, or a project you've taken on, step back and do a "life check." A life check is like balancing your bank statement; only instead of the bank's monthly summary, you're going to look at how your time is being spent. Sometimes the very smallest challenges in your life create the most significant stress and frustration.

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with memory-making moments. They don't have to be huge, just little ones that make you smile, bring back a memory, or fill your heart with peace. These days "peace" gets harder and harder to come by. And always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with I've written about for so many years.

​Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

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