Why Wasting Time, Energy, And Focus Hurts More Than You Think

This sense of accomplishment will drive you to become even better.

Vinod Kumar Kashyap
ILLUMINATION
4 min readAug 2, 2024

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Photo by Alessandro Bianchi on Unsplash

Did you know you have power over three finite resources: time, energy, and attention? When you invest them wisely, you take a step towards your goals. They’re not lost; instead, they’re building the path to your success.

By carefully analyzing and plugging the leaks in your resource management, you’re not just fixing problems but achieving a better version of yourself. This sense of accomplishment will drive you to become even better.

The Value of Time: Maximizing Productivity and Prioritization

Discuss the importance of time management, setting priorities, and how effective scheduling can help maximize this finite resource.

Every person in the world has 24 hours in a day. Then why are some so successful while others struggle to complete their work? The reason is that successful people understand the value of time.

We cannot regain time once it’s lost. You have to start managing your time. It is an art that you need to learn. You have to plan to make the best use of the time.

Schedule everything on your plate and follow discipline to complete that work in the scheduled time. Do not spend your valuable time on other activities except that on your plate.

While scheduling, know your priorities and schedule accordingly. The tasks you perform first must be of high priority. Effective time management will help you maximize productivity.

Energy Management: Balancing Work, Rest, and Play

What is the use of the money and all the luxuries you have earned if you cannot enjoy it? Do not become someone who works so hard that he neglects his health. Your energy plays a vital role in your life.

And like time, it is also finite. As a human, your energy depletes at the end of the day. But the good thing is that you can get it back. You have to take small breaks in between activities.

Start your days with exercise for your body and a little bit of meditation for your mental health. Doing this at the start of the day will keep you energized.

Get better sleep. Stay awake in favour of work. Sleep helps your body reenergize so you can do optimal work the next day. Take enough sleep to recover your body.

For mental health, you can do yoga and meditation. You will get stressed throughout the day with the activities you perform. You need something to reduce stress, and these will help you to do that.

Remember, balance between work and life is crucial. You cannot avoid your health. If you are not in good health and your energy levels are not optimal, it will also impact your professional life.

The Power of Focus: Managing Attention in a Distracted World

In this age of constant information bombardment, you need to focus on things. Your attention is limited, and you cannot give it to everything around you.

Focus on the things that will help you grow, and avoid all those activities that do not contribute to your growth. Remember, where your attention goes, your energy flows.

So why focus on useless things? First, you must focus on the essential things in your life.

Schedule time to watch TV and social media and check emails. You can only give attention to some things. If you need to meet someone, make sure you have time scheduled for him.

Remove all distractions when you focus on your work. Switch off your mobile, and ask friends and family not to disturb you for a specific period. It will help you to do your work with more focus.

The Cost of Wasting Resources: Understanding Opportunity Costs

Have you heard of the term opportunity cost? It is the cost you pay to get or lose an opportunity. For instance, if you spend your time and energy on a task that doesn’t contribute to your goals, you lose the opportunity to invest in something more beneficial.

You lose many opportunities because you waste time, energy, and attention.

These are all available in finite. You have to use them carefully towards the growth. Once the time is lost, it will never come back. You need to find the time that you can use for yourself.

You may lose an opportunity because you have yet to plan your time. You spend your energy on trying things that are not required at all for your side. You give attention to unnecessary things.

Refrain from making this mistake. You must use your time, energy, and attention productively. If you don’t, you may regret it later in life. It’s better to do something about it.

Creating a Balanced Life: Integrating Time, Energy, and Attention

You’re taking control of your life by balancing your personal and professional life and integrating your finite resources of time, energy, and attention.

This balance will bring a 360-degree change, making you feel more in control and reassured. Make sure your time, energy, and attention align with your goals. All three should match your values to strengthen you.

Time

  • Make goals
  • Plan for them
  • Schedule all your tasks

Energy

  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Yoga

Attention

  • Switch off mobiles
  • Focus on one thing at a time.
  • Work according to schedule and leave everything.

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Vinod Kumar Kashyap
ILLUMINATION

Digital Writer & Storyteller | Bringing Visions to Life Through Premium Ghostwriting​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​