5 Great Examples of Managing Time Wisely
“Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all you might.” — Salomon
Spare time is a treasure, a very valuable resource, which today — unfortunately — many people waste it.
When you don’t use time properly, you are avoiding progress in your life.
It is clear that we need to balance our personal goals and our other activities. But you know that you need to spend time working on your personal development.
“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.”
— Aldous Huxley
When that happens you are helping to make your dreams come true.
Let’s see what the proper use of time has done for certain people in history.
Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 — October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman who has been described as America’s greatest inventor.
How he managed time wisely:
Thomas A. Edison, being a telegraph operator, used his free time to study everything related to electricity, and he became the greatest inventor in the world of his time.
Edison began his career as an inventor in Newark, New Jersey, with the automatic repeater and his other improved telegraphic devices, but the invention that first gained him wider notice was the phonograph in 1877.
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas A. Edison
James J. Hill
James Jerome Hill (September 16, 1838 — May 29, 1916), was a Canadian-American railroad executive.
How he managed time wisely:
When he was a railroad worker, J.J. Hill took advantage of his time during his free hours studying Roads and Works, and he became one of the most famous railroad builders.
Between 1883 and 1889, Hill built his railroads across Minnesota, into Wisconsin, and across North Dakota to Montana.
“What we want, is the best possible line, shortest distance, lowest grades, and least curvature we can build. We do not care enough for Rocky Mountains scenery to spend a large sum of money developing it.” — James Jerome Hill
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie (November 25, 1835 — August 11, 1919) was a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist.
How he managed time wisely:
Carnegie used his spare time studying business administration, and came to dominate the steel industry.
Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans in history. He became a leading philanthropist in the United States and in the British Empire.
“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.” — Andrew Carnegie
Elihu Burrin
Elihu Burritt (December 8, 1810 — March 6, 1879) was an American diplomat, philanthropist and social activist.
How he managed time wisely:
Elihu Burrin, a blacksmith who worked eleven hours a day by the forge, found time to learn and master 19 languages.
He was a prolific lecturer, journalist and writer, who traveled widely in the US and Europe.
“No human being can come into this world without increasing or diminishing the sum total of human happiness.” — Elihu Burritt
Samuel Finley Breese Morse
Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 — April 2, 1872) was an American inventor and painter.
How he managed time wisely:
Morse spent his spare time working on everything related to electricity. He valued and took advantage of the precious resource of free time, and today he is part of the immortals who have made history in the world.
After having established his reputation as a portrait painter, in his middle age Morse contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European telegraphs.
“If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted instantaneously by electricity.” — Samuel Morse
Takeaway Insight
All these great men used their time wisely, and you can too.
The value that a person attributes to himself can be determined by the value that he attributes to the free time he has.
It is in your hands to recognize the value of time and make the most of it, today is a good day to learn new skills that will help you in your personal development.
Do not forget that you are worth a lot, just like the time you have available.
As the wise Solomon once said:
“Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all you might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.” — Ecclesiastes 9:10
