MONDAY MOTIVATION - Time Marches On - What Are You Doing With It?

This morning, I watched a special about Steve Jobs, the inventor of the Apple Computer, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad, among other things. There was a clip of him speaking at a commencement of a university, and he said:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

That thought really struck me - it applies to everyone. Our time is limited - none of us will live forever. I've always told my children to pursue their passions - that I'd rather have them working at a job they LOVE, even if the money isn't great, than to have them make tons of money doing something that makes them miserable. And if the LOVE part and the MONEY part comes together, that is something to be happy and proud of.

I've also taught them to spend some of their precious time in serving other people. Because, let's face it, there are SO many people who need help. And service, simply, enables you to feel joy.

A third thing I feel is important - don't waste your time wishing for things that don't matter. Rather, spend some time focusing on gratitude - being thankful for the opportunities you have to make your life something incredible.

Benjamin Franklin said: "Lost time is never found again."

These two ideas - that time is limited, and that time passes and we can't get it back - should make ambitious and careful people of us all. Ambition is eagerly desiring a goal we've set - and working constantly toward that goal. Being careful simply means that we don't waste our days, but we carefully and methodically spend our time.

Take an inventory of the goals you have, and the time you have to accomplish them, and make sure you are on track. Always be doing, achieving, and making something. Because, Steve Jobs is right - time is limited. As a cancer survivor, I know that it's smart to live my life to it's fullest, not waste my time with meaningless things, and spend time on whatever it is that makes my happiness complete. For me, that would be my family. What about you? What makes you happy?

Make your life count!