Time Management: Why It’s Worth the Effort

Time… time… time… something we all talk about, yet it’s like sand slipping through our fingers. How many times have you caught yourself saying, “It’s on my to-do list!” or “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time”? And be honest—how often is that actually true? If you’re like most of us, probably not often. As Ryan Holiday points out:

“Time is the one thing you can’t get back.”

It’s worth thinking about whether we’re spending it or just letting it disappear into thin air. (Spoiler: if you’re scrolling Instagram at 11 p.m., you’re probably doing the latter).

Real time management isn’t about forcing yourself to be some hyper-efficient robot or color-coding every calendar. It’s about learning to say “no” to things that just aren’t worth your energy. Naval Ravikant put it perfectly:

“A busy calendar and a busy mind will destroy your ability to do great things in life.”

(Let’s be real: the real “great thing” might just be sitting down for once). So, maybe you don’t have to take on every project or answer every text the second it comes in. The world keeps spinning, promise. Prioritizing doesn’t come naturally, but once you get the hang of it, things feel way less overwhelming and way more doable.

Then there’s the freedom that comes with time management. When you make time for what really matters—like having dinner with family or picking up an old hobby—it’s like finally getting off that never-ending hamster wheel. Think about meditation: it’s not about being still; it’s about creating space to breathe. Same goes for time. Imagine it’s the end of the day, and instead of the usual guilt for not “doing it all,” you actually feel good. Because you did the right things, not everything.

The time you make today? That’s what future you will thank you for. Or at least try to. (We’re still a work in progress, right?)