Take the example of someone whose main drive in life is to make a real difference in the world’s AIDS epidemic. You may find them doing research in their spare time, helping out at fundraisers, and perhaps spending a decade in Ethiopia setting up AIDS clinics. They know what they want, they have given themselves a purpose, and they make sure the majority of their time is spent bringing them closer to that goal. They make sure that the time they spend on their AIDS project is “dedicated” time, meaning it is specifically designated for their goal. When they look back upon the time they spent, they have no regrets about how they used it. As I write this, I am spending “dedicated” time, because I wish to publish an effective E-book. As you read this, you are most likely utilizing “dedicated” time, because you have an interest in improving yourself and living a happier life. In reading this book and developing better time management skills, you will have increased your tool set to be able to do exactly that.
As dedicated time is set aside for a certain task or enjoyable activity, there is the concept of “density of time.” When you watch someone who leads a happy life you may find that they pack not only as many constructive activities, but also as many enjoyable activities as possible into their time.
If one bases their happiness off of the number of amazing experiences they are having, then obviously maintaining a high rate of “density of time” is a way to help ensure happiness. This means to never waste a minute – to always keep moving, doing, planning, trying new things, and living at a fast pace. This lifestyle does not fit everyone – If an individual bases their meaning in life on being with a loved one, then being with them all the time may ensure happiness. This is not necessarily highly “dense” time, as their time often consists of longer, simpler activities to put them in contact with their loved one.
“Dedication” of time and “density” of time are both factors in the use of time to achieve happiness or to reach a goal. However, time neither has to be dedicated, nor dense, to serve its purpose in making a difference in the grand scheme of things. In fact, the smallest, non-“dense” and non-“dedicated” sliver of time can have more effect on your life than a year of densely dedicated time. I am referring to epiphanies, revolutions, and paradigm-shifts. You can waste half your life being a couch potato, living at home until you are 40, and then receive a massive inspiration or idea in one minute which directs you to something in life which a decade of intensely dedicated time could never accomplish.
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This excerpt is taken from Ways and Means of Time Management.
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