Abraham Lincoln is attributed with this saying, which goes something like; give me six hours to cut down a tree and I'll spend four hours sharpening the axe.
There's a saying similar to Lincoln's, perhaps you've heard it too: "We don't rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our preparation."
Some substitute the level of our preparation with the level of the systems we've built.
The latter I can fully relate with, when the intensity of life increases, being prepared is good. But ultimately, it's the systems that we have in place that will help us hold our ground and not be crushed by this new intensity, so to speak.
Mr. Lincoln's quote greatly illustrates how investing time upfront (sharpening the axe) translates to saving time later (chopping down the tree).
But what if we could go beyond individual tasks and build a system that consistently saves us time in the future?
Keep in mind that this is just a thought experience, the future is as unpredictable as the weather.
An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure
The health and fitness space provides a good example on how investing time upfront to build effective systems(routine, habit) can significantly reduce the amount of time needed to handle future challenges.
Think about the time commitment required to recover from a preventable illness compared to the relatively small amount of time invested in daily exercise and healthy eating?
Similar to money invested over time, healthy habits build upon each other, leading to a progressively stronger foundation for our health system.
And this can translate into a future self that's not only less susceptible to illness but also possesses more energy and stamina.
Building a system of regular exercise and healthy meal more or less becomes an investment in our future self, saving us countless hours (and potentially days) down the road.
This concept of investing in preventative systems extends far beyond just physical wellness.
Consider the ever-evolving job market. Upskilling in a relevant field can increase one's earning potential and also equip them with the tools to adapt to changing demands.
An increased earning power gives you more options, such as having the ability to outsource and delegate necessary but time-consuming tasks or provide some form of financial safety net in case of unexpected job loss or economic downturns.
Now, let's take this concept a step further and consider the idea of 'time banking.' which can be defined as investing time upfront to create a reserve for future use, specifically for those cherished, non-negotiable moments in life.
For example, working hard now, to build wealth, so that in the future you wouldn't miss a special event, like your child's graduation ceremony or your parent's milestone birthday celebration.
Again, this is just a thought experiment, since the future can be more unpredictable that the weather. But it's interesting to entertain the idea that our present actions can create a time advantage or surplus in the future.
The proactive choices we make today can give us a head start when it comes to managing our time effectively down the line.
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