The Real Con: the nature of time

The Real Con 086 - The Nature of Time

Soft skills to live in a hard world. Seeking wisdom, discipline and more to leave my world a little better than I found it…

Hey there,

On the road yet again. This time writing from the wilderness of Tennessee. 

Time moves slower when you are disconnected from our modern “luxuries.” Being in nature helps create a certain rhythm. The morning dew, birds chirping, deer running, woodpeckers jamming away soon give way to the summer sun and heat. Walking through the woods, listening, observing, sweating, moving all help make time more clear. It is not the number of days that count. It is instead making your days count. That is how I think about my time.

Here are 3 quotes, the most interesting thing I learned this week, 1 essay, and 1 question to reflect on.

3 Quotes

“Measure wisdom in risks taken, exposure to challenges, not years. A young wolf is wiser than an old dog.” -Vizi Andrei, The Sovereign Artist

“The true man is revealed in difficult times.” - Epictetus

“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.” - Jack London

The Most Interesting Thing I Learned this Week

“Whoever would get to the heart of it, let him do so with conviction, practicing in the morning and training in the evening.” - Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings, The Fire Chapter

Sometimes we have to slow down and realize the narrowness of our perspective.

Everyday, you can walk outside and feel calm, still, motionless. 

But zooming out, you realize that we are standing on a rock that is rushing through the universe at 67,000 mph. Earth travels at a breakneck speed around the Sun. 

Time and perspective are what we make of it. 

The Short Time of Alexander

“It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” - Confucius

It was June 323 BC in Babylon when Alexander the Great died at the young age of 32. In just 16 years, he had conquered most of Asia, survived countless battles, and lived many lifetimes.

His empire stretched from Greece to Northwest India. Once he left Macedonia in 335 BC, he did not stop until his death. 

Prior to becoming King of Macedonia, Alexander learned from a tutor hired by his dad, King Phillip. Only it was not just any tutor. Alexander was schooled for 3 years by none other than Aristotle.

Over 2,347 years later, we still learn about Alexander and his life. Hannibal learned from Alexander and his battle tactics in order to take the fight to the Romans almost 105 years after Alexander’s death. 

The man did not stop once he started.

What if we all lived with such vigor? Not that as a conqueror, but that of a man trying to get the most out of life. Imagine if you and your colleagues at work showed up trying to conquer your day. 

Alignment. Purpose. Time well spent.

I think about time a lot. Maybe it was because in my first professional job I was required to record my time to the nearest 6 minutes. While I do not fill out timesheets anymore, I can tell you how I spend my days. 

Focused. Trying to conquer whatever life throws my way.

What if you had only 16 years remaining?

How would you spend your time? Are you with the people who challenge you, life you up, encourage you? 

Only time will tell.

1 Question to Reflect on

How can you slow down time in your life to make each minute and each hour count even more? 

It is not that we do not have enough time, it is simply that we do not use it well.

In Closing...

Any feedback, suggestion, or critique is welcome: feel free to reply (if you got this in your inbox) or send an email to [email protected].

Stay sharp,

Michael

#086

The Real Con

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