When I was in college, I borrowed more money than I should have to buy my dream car, a 1981 Toyota Supra. I loved that car, but after a while, I got tired of spending half of what I made working part-time at Sears to make the payment.
One day a couple pulled out in front of me and totaled my car. I wasn’t happy at the time, but I got happy when the insurance company gave me enough money to pay off my loan and pay cash for a VW Scirocco. There was even enough left over to put a $99 paint job on it and a killer stereo in it. The truth is the stereo was worth more than the car.
The car turned out to be a complete POS. The design of the engine and cooling system was terrible. The car drank oil like I used to drink Gatorade during two-a-day football practices, which meant I had to keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge to let me know when the oil was running low. The cooling system design was so bad and the fan so weak I had to keep an eye on the engine temp gauge to let me know when I needed to add water to the radiator to avoid overheating.
In other words, I had to keep an eye on the gauges to keep my crappy car from blowing up.
How does this apply to my life?
I’ve figured out my life is the same way; I have to keep my eye on a few gauges to avoid blowing it up.
Here are the three gauges I watch.
Time
Time is your most valuable asset, even more than money, because you don’t know how much time you have left. That’s why you need to have a plan for how you’re going to spend every day and be sure you’re working towards a long-term goal. Or, to put it simply, daily execution of an annual plan.
Here’s how to break your daily schedule into three categories
- Must-Do, or if I don’t do this, I’m screwed stuff.
- Should-Do, or if I get the Must do stuff done, I can move on to this.
- Could-Do or on those rare days, I get the first two categories completed I can choose from this list.
Pro Tip- have no more than 3-5 items in each category.
Pro Tip #2- Learn to say “No,” don’t let people guilt their way onto any of your lists.
Money
The problem most people have is not that they don’t make enough money; it’s that they don’t know how to manage what they do have.
This gauge is all about knowing three things about money:
- How much you make
- How much you owe
- How much you have
Most banks have apps for your phone, so there is no excuse not to know all three numbers.
Pro Tip-Beware of money leaks like subscriptions you forgot you had or $12 energized teas.
Energy
Your energy level is the gauge that will help you avoid burnout. The more you pay attention to your energy level, the more likely you are to maintain the proper balance between rest and work.
Pro Tip- One of the best ways to manage your energy is a 30-minute walk. Grab your earbuds, turn on some classical music, and take off. Every problem and opportunity looks different after a walk. Commit to doing this at least three days per week.
The SECRET
The secret to avoiding blowing up your life is You Must have margin in all three areas of time, money, and energy.
Leave time in your schedule for the unexpected opportunities to connect or serve
Don’t spend every penny you make so you’ll be able to pick up the utility bill for a single mom. Learn how to spot energy vampires. People who will suck you dry. That way, you’ll have the energy to spend time with your kids and be fully present.
Time, Money, and Energy will either enhance your life or implode it based on your choices. So watch your gauges and make wise choices.
PS
Solomon summarized the difference between the man who watches his gauges and the one who doesn’t.
The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Proverbs 14:16