Notwithstanding these difficulties, there are some axioms about time that we ignore at our peril. Time is our constant life companion, the currency of life in this world and the most precious asset that we encounter.
Sadly, these facts do not necessarily transform our interactions with time in the context of daily living. But we can ill afford a dysfunctional relationship with time.
Judaism offers an important perspective about how to view time. This, in turn, offers a backdrop of effective time management. The opening narrative of the Bible records how God introduced time as the backdrop to creating the universe. But although creation is bound by time, God is not. While time means nothing to an infinite God, it means everything to a finite human being.
This world is not the ultimate destination; it is a lobby to the World to Come: “prepare yourself in the lobby so that you may enter the banquet hall” (Ethics of the Fathers 5:21). This teaching equally applies to the moments within our life.
What we do with our lives, and how we spend our time, is how we ready ourselves (in Hebrew z’man, “time” relates to hazmanah, “preparation”.) Not only does time give us existence in this world, more importantly, it functions as an investment opportunity with which to access the next.
Think of it as Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket to enter the Chocolate Factory. (No, I am a chocoholic and do not believe in a chocolate heaven!)
Jewish teachings highlight the religious context of time. Our good deeds take what is “timely” and make them “timeless”. Time may be a natural phenomenon that affects all living organisms. But we can imbue it with sanctity and meaning – if and when we use our time effectively.
There is no shortage of time management guides available in libraries and bookstores. It is possible to summarise their main approaches as falling into one of two categories. The first is “what to do with it”. We make tough decisions about our priorities in life which naturally affects how we spend our time.
The second is “how to use it in the best possible way”. Here the focus is on different techniques or organisational tips of how to ensure maximum productivity when managing our time.
Rabbinic writings endorse the opinion of time management expert Laura Vanderkam that every moment we spend involves actively making a choice. We are therefore empowered to fill our lives with positive things that we personally choose to be there.
The issue is not a lack of time at our disposal; it is a lack of focus of what to do with that time. When we say “I don’t have time”, often we mean to say “It’s not a priority”.
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Time is not morally neutral. The importance of time depends on how we choose to use it. Life is not about us having a good time; it is about us having to do good with our time.
Spend time more wisely than you spend your money. Do not flippantly treat time as a plaything or as an object of leisure. Do not waste it in meaningless pursuits of pleasures that do not last. Instead, consider every moment as comparable to planting the seed of a fruit-bearing tree whose produce will last forever.
The Torah is our ancient Jewish guide to establish the right set of priorities in life. Important matters include spending quality time for our loved ones and children, daily acts of kindness such as charity and hospitality, prayer and Torah study.
Our awareness of the essential nature of time and investment opportunities within prods us to explore techniques of how to effectively manage our time. This is often quite subjective but there are some general principles.
Focus on what is important rather than what is urgent. Seize opportunities whenever they present themselves without delay. Stay focused on the task at hand. Work out strategies how not to be sidetracked by the bombardment of incessant distractions in our frenetic modern world.
Time is God’s investment in us. In turn, we must also invest in time to gain us eternity. This outlook is the basis that can help us to successful experience the “time of our lives”.
Rabbi Levene’s new book, The Time of Your Life: A Jewish Guide to Living with Time, Mosaica Press/Feldheim, £20 is out now
