Do Your Personal Goals Take a Back Seat to Work?

Early in my career I became quite adept at setting a schedule for my workday and sticking to it. This “time tasking” made me very efficient and productive. But I had a heck of a time doing the same when it came to my personal and social goals. I was so involved in moving my business and financial goals forward, I simply ignored the rest. And because of that, I wasn’t making my time outside of work count for much of anything!

Not a good idea. As you know, here at ETR we strongly recommend that you strive for balance in all areas of your life.

Fortunately for me, I realized the error of my ways. About seven years ago, I began applying myself to my personal and social goals with the same vigor as I had been applying to my work goals. I added bowling (a favorite sport) to my weekly schedule, and shot a 300 game last year. I took up golf. I began scheduling time with friends. And after 25 years of being too busy with work, I began taking real vacations with my wife.

Do I sometimes feel like I am “sacrificing” my work for my personal goals? Yes, once in a while. But when I look back at the choices I’ve been making, I realize that the memories I am creating and the sense of well-being I’ve gained from using all my time better are priceless.

Take a second and remind yourself of this important fact: Time cannot be replenished once it is gone. If you’re not including time with friends and family (and time with yourself!) in your schedule, you’re losing that time for good.

Comment on this article

Bob Cox

The Billionaire In You is a system of principles developed from Bob's unique experience being involved with four Billionaires over the past 30 years. As co-founder of the world's first Home Shopping Channel to working with the largest privately owned hotel chain in the Southeast Bob has answered the question: How can it be that a group of people in the same city, with the same education, opportunity, upbringing and starting bank balance make riches beyond their dreams - and others do not? Answer: They used a system, which set them apart from the crowd! Bob is an author of Flip the Success Switch, motivational speaker and independent Business Consultant who enjoys bowling, golfing and flying. He has a private pilot's license and owns his own Diamond DA-20 airplane. Bob holds 2 world airspeed records with the National Aeronautic Assoc. (NAA) and Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI).