The Value of Time and How to Protect It

Have you ever thought about the most important gift we received from Hashem?

Time is our most precious resource, but unfortunately we are not always aware of its importance. If someone were to steal our money, we would do everything to get it back, but if someone steals our time, we tend to accept it without much struggle. This is only because we do not perceive the value of time in the same way that we perceive money.

As the Chofetz Chaim emphasizes in "Mishnah Berurah" (Section 1, subparagraph 12), every moment is precious and should be used productively, and yet if a person is too busy and overwhelmed this won't allow for the the time to be human.

Research in the field of happiness shows that using our time wisely makes us happy! A study conducted by Sharif, Mogilner, and Hershfield (2021) found that in order to be happy, we need two hours of free time each day, but if we have more than five hours of free time, we are filled with a sense of idleness and boredom.

Practically, how can daily planning improve our happiness?

One of the main proven factors for happiness and success in life is daily planning.

Planning enables us to be more present in the moment and less distracted by wandering thoughts and unfinished tasks.

Rabbi Aryeh Levin, who was known as "The Rabbi of the Prisoners," made use of every moment of his time to help others and study Torah. Once, when a student asked him how he manages his time so well, the Rabbi replied, "I don't waste even a moment."

What are 'wandering thoughts' and why does it matter?

'Wandering thoughts' are a state in which our mind leaves the task we're engaged in and wanders to other subjects. This often happens when we try to focus on something, but our brain engages with other things, such as unfinished tasks, personal worries, or daydreams. These wandering thoughts can be highly disruptive as they interfere with our ability to concentrate and complete our tasks effectively. When our thoughts wander, we feel less satisfied and less happy because we are not truly present in the moment.

Why do wandering thoughts affect our happiness?

Researchers at Stanford have found that wandering thoughts mostly occur when we think about unfinished tasks, which significantly decreases our degree of happiness (Stanford Graduate School of Business).

Are you just busy, or truly advancing towards your goals?

Some of us mistakenly believe that being busy is a sign of productivity. However, true progress toward goals is achieved through precise planning and focused action. If you are doing 80 things a day but by the end of the day can’t remember what you truly wanted to achieve, you may need to rethink your time management.

Take Ron, for instance. Every day is full, but he wakes up without a plan, begins tasks but doesn’t complete them, and is always under pressure. His thoughts constantly wander, and he feels that he achieves nothing significant despite being so "busy".

Why do 95% of people fail to achieve their goals?

Studies indicate that 95% of people fail to reach their goals. This relates to another study that indicates that only 3% of people write down their goals. Most people do not succeed in achieving their goals because they do not plan or write down their goals. Without planning, we live our lives according to other people’s priorities and lack control over our own lives.

Another illustrative example is Michal. Michal was a busy mother who worked full-time and managed her home. She felt that she was losing control over her time and was exhausted, and was therefore advised to seek personal time-management counseling. During the meetings, she learned how to plan her day effectively and develop healthy habits. Today, Michal manages her time efficiently, feels more relaxed and at ease, and fills her time with meaningful and satisfying activities.

How can our biological clock help us plan our day?

To help you create a daily schedule, I'll provide you with a rule based on the biological clock. This internal clock functions like a diary, informing us of the best times to perform different tasks. The biological clock is divided into three parts:

Peak hours: Morning hours, between 9 and 12 approximately. This is when we're most efficient. Memory and concentration are at their peak, making it an ideal time for tasks requiring effort and attention.

Low hours: Afternoon hours. The mind is more tired and it's a good time to engage in sports, arrangements, planning, and transactions. Studies show that it's the time when doctors make the most mistakes in surgeries. (If you’re planning a surgery, it’s better to schedule it in the morning.)

Evening hours: Towards evening, concentration rises again, and creativity comes forth. It’s a good time to generate ideas, but not for too long, as fatigue requires time to sleep.

It’s important to note that this description applies to 85% of the population. There is another 15% who are "night owls," and therefore their schedule should be reversed. Their morning starts later, the low point is in the afternoon, and focused thinking is done at night.

Building a weekly, monthly, annual, and daily schedule allows us to clearly see our day, develop good habits, reduce stress, and operate with a sense of calm and peace of mind. This is the secret of successful people, and it’s not complicated to achieve.

Share with us in the comments how time planning changed your life!

Rabbi Yochi Danchi is a lecturer, manager of the private investment fund 'NextMoves' and a multidisciplinary emotional supporter specializing in creating rapid changes, overcoming anxiety, education, and relationships - the 'Winners' method.