Iron sharpens iron

It’s no secret that we all only have a set number of seconds to walk this planet. We might do some things to make sure we get all the seconds we can (healthy lifestyle, exercise etc), but these is no way to actually extend beyond what we have been given. Furthermore; nobody really knows how many seconds we have left. I might not finish this blog. You might not finish reading it. Who knows?

The critical thing (and often one we’re complacent about) is: What are you doing with your seconds today? Who are you investing your time in? You need to appreciate the absolute value of every second of your life. Think of every click of the clock as markers in your timeline of life.        Tick – That moment is gone. Tock – and another.

If you spend time improving yourself, your future, your skills…GREAT! But here is another perspective to consider: Who are you investing your time with? Hopefully, these people are either challenging you, lifting you up, supporting you or helping you be a better you. If the people you invest your limited seconds in do none of these, why are you giving them your life? Sure, we may experience some edgy times when we have little choice in who we’re around, but for the days you have a choice, who and why are you giving such people your life?

In college, I had the hots for a girl who invited me to take a racquetball class with her. Obviously, I had no choice. Turns out, I loved the sport, so I played a lot of racquetball. Although I got better as I played more, I also noticed something. If I played someone who was not as good as me…or even the same level, I would NOT play my “A” game. In some embarrassing instances, I actually LOST to less-skilled players. So I began a new quest; I sought out anyone I could find who I was SURE would wipe the court with me. As long as I played these higher skilled people, I was sure to improve my own skill and do so much faster than if I just “played a lot” every week. By playing “down” to anyone else, I ran the risk of solidifying my current position and even running the risk of not performing at the level I knew I could.

Back to my original thoughts. Do you invest in people that make you better, or who try to convince you that status quo is enough? There is nothing better than a journey you take with another person…especially if that person is as interested in helping you are you are in getting better. Like I always say: Find a mentor – BE a mentor. Find someone who has knowledge of whatever you’re facing and gain first-hand wisdom from them. Nothing is more time-killing and wasteful than re-inventing the wheel. Be efficient and purposeful and spend your seconds with people who feel the same you do. Relationships cannot be successful if they are one-sided. Whether it is a boss, a spouse or a co-worker – if you are more invested in the relationship than they are, then someone’s being short sighted.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”    Proverbs 27:17

Tick – do you value your seconds? Tock – if so, then how are you spending them?

PS – the good news is: I finished this blog and you finished reading it! Now go get you some Carpe Diem and improve you!