It’s about time

[I]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![/I]

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 once it’s blown

My time is here to live
through opportunities I seize
So 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 spent while you are here. Happiness is when you get to spend it in ways that give you the best feelings and memories. Freedom is knowing you have a choice. Your efforts to pursue your passion are vitally important because it is one important way to exercise this right to choose how and where a majority of your time is spent.

In the game of life, choice is your freedom, opportunity is the ball, happiness is the goal, and time is the only rule. How you spend your time 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, you can’t 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 their rules. But, that daily ache in your heart is your passion calling out for fulfillment. It’s time to take control of your time. When you’re pursuing your passion, you get to decide how the game will be played.

Now, if you’re already pursuing your passion, the question is still the same: how are you spending your days? Remember, your goal, as I see it, is to create and live the lifestyle of your choosing. 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, 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!

And speaking of making the best use of your time from Day 1, here’s a little bonus “Life Rhyme” for you for this holiday season.

[B]Before The Year is Through[/B]

I know I’ve said these arbitrary lines should hold no sway
But days approach for which there’s certain groundwork you can lay

It’s not too soon to contemplate just where you’d like to be
when new year’s dawn awakes in you new things you’d like to see

So read a book or take a course then practice what you learn
For knowledge used enhances your ability to earn

Then clear a debt, and clean a house and cast old things aside
And choose what weights to jettison that jeopardize your ride

Take ordered steps and actions that will make your visions real
It’s more than resolutions that you need to close the deal

So make some moves so when the final countdown comes and goes
You’re not left scrambling to and fro or worse caught in a doze

To start the year off right to make your life a private heaven
It might be wise to plan from now for year 2007!

* * *

Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!

[I]Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home here in Saipan. To learn more about the Saipanpreneur Project and Walt’s philosophy and formula visit www.saipanpreneur.com and www.passionprofit.com. Send article suggestions, entrepreneur nominations and feedback about this article to walt@passionprofit.com.
[/I]