It's About Time

By Walt F.J. Goodridge

Special to the Saipan Tribune
Originally published: Wednesday, April 23, 2008


The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion!


My time is all I have
my one inheritance at birth
A thing of changing value
rarely spent for what it’s worth

My time is what I trade
for everything in life worthwhile
I trade it for remembrances
of days that make me smile

My time is for my friends
with whom it’s spent I wisely choose
It’s here for those who lift me up
all others I refuse

My time is mine to use
but even this I do not own
It’s like the wind that sets my sail
but passes on once it has blown

My time is here to live
through opportunities I seize
And now's the time to take the steps
to spend it as I please!

What’s the value of your time? The game of life is all about controlling the quality and nature of the time you spend while you are here. Happiness-true happiness-is when you get to spend your time in ways that give you the best feelings and memories. Freedom is knowing you have a choice and acting on that choice in ways that empower you. Your efforts to pursue your passion are vitally important because it is one important way to exercise this right to choose how your time is spent.

I often use the metaphor of “the game” in my writings. My favorite definition of a goal is an activity that has the following elements: 1. a goal or objective, 2. specific freedoms, and 3. rules.

In the game of life, happiness is the goal, choice is your freedom, and time is the only rule. I'll add, too, that opportunity is the ball in the game of life. How you spend your time using life's opportunities is how you play the game. And in this game of life, my friend, there’s no time to waste. For unlike other games, you can’t reshuffle the deck and get a new hand, or ask for a "do-over."

So how are you playing the game? Are you allowing others to decide the value of your time? In your present situation, perhaps someone dictated that you’d spend your time making him or her rich, and you agreed to play along. Someone said they’d pay you a certain amount of dollars in exchange for each hour you devote to their happiness, and you agreed to play along. But, that daily ache in your heart is your passion calling out for fulfillment. It’s time to take control of your time and play a different game. When you’re pursuing your passion-your strategy for winning the game-you get to decide how the game will be played.

Now, if you’re already pursuing your passion, the question is the same: how are you spending your days? Remember, your goal is to create and live the lifestyle of your choice. Everything you do in business, from startup, to setting your fees, hiring employees, and the very day-to-day pursuit itself is supposed to free you, not confine you. When you pursue your passion, you get to spend your days how, where and with whom you please! And there are ways to set it up from day one to do just that!

So take the steps to make this and all future days YOUR time! Yes, it’s about time!!

For more tips on acting on your ideas, changing the game, and creating a passion-centered lifestyle, visit www.passionprofit.com!

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Until next time, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!-Walt



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