As we enter the new year, it feels appropriate to focus a little on our mortality. What better time for an existential crisis?
Below is an infographic that shows events in the life of a typical American. However, you can personalize it to display how long you likely have to live by filling in your education level, sex, country of birth, and when you were born. Seeing where you are ... versus how many dots are left can be jarring.
Looking at the chart done with my information reminded me how important it is to make the most of the time I have left.
Time is funny. Sometimes it seems to fly by ... and other times, it almost seems to stand still.
Everyone has the same 24 hours each day. Some use it better than others.
Sometimes we are conscious of how we use this precious resource. Sometimes it gets away from us.
Here is a video that illustrates how most of us spend our time. It is called The Time You Have (In JellyBeans).
zefrank via YouTube
The average life expectancy for men in the U.S. is 76.
How many amazing vacations do you have left? How many jaw-dropping moments? How many fantastic meals? How many Super Bowls?
What about time with your parents or older relatives? It's easy to forget to call or to miss an important event because "life happens". But, if you realize you may have already used 95% of your in-person time with that person ... doesn't it become more special?
In my TEDx talk, I mentioned "living like you only have a year left" – and how much more "life" we got out of the last part of my dad's life.
That is an example, but I want to take it one step further.
To start, think of some of the activities you do, places you go, experiences you have that are special and make you feel like your best self.
- Hitting flow-state and creating something new and exciting;
- Taking an amazing vacation and experiencing something completely new;
- Having a moment with someone you love that makes you stop and say - Wow!
- Making a difference in someone's day or giving back to your community;
- Experiencing peace and relaxation;
- Feeling pure joy.
It's easy to get lost and take for granted these moments when they happen, but when you think about how much time you have left, they take a whole new meaning.
How can you maximize the time you have left? Fill it with the best experiences, activities, and people you can.
To start, think about different time frames:
- What activities could you commit to doing at least once a year?
- What activities could you commit to doing at least once a month?
- What activities could you commit to doing at least once a week?
- What activities could you commit to doing at least once a day?
Make those lists ... it is a simple way to get a better return on the time value of your life.
Seriously, try it.
Let me know how it worked for you – and what you chose.
Onwards!
How'd These 2021 Predictions Fair?
I write about the future of technology often.
But, sometimes, it's fun to see what others have to say as well.
Every year Visual Capitalist puts together a list of their predictions for the coming year. As we reach the final two weeks of 2021, I figure it's worth taking a look!
Here was their "bingo card" for 2021.
Honestly, that was a pretty good set of predictions. While some of this list didn't pan out, much of it did. We're seeing a growing exodus from major cities (where people lived to pursue opportunities previously available only in such places), movies are recovering, and hybrid work models are all the rage.
Could they have predicted how much of an issue COVID would pose throughout the year? Probably not.
As we near the end of 2021, there's a lot of uncertainty in the air.
Global markets have the jitters - and we don't see the increased volatility changing anytime soon.
What's going to happen as a result of the continuing pandemic, inflation, interest rates, the ongoing supply chain issues, and the growing anxiety and unrest brewing underneath the surface of the new normal? In January, we'll get to see VC's predictions. Before that, what do you expect to happen in 2022?
Posted at 06:36 PM in Business, Current Affairs, Gadgets, Ideas, Just for Fun, Market Commentary, Religion, Science, Trading, Trading Tools, Travel, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)
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