If there’s one thing everyone needs, it’s time. Time is the most undervalued, overused commodity in our lives. Centuries ago we “discovered” time, later learned how to measure it, and to this day, we struggle to manage it. We’ve scheduled ourselves too thin, or perhaps we’re not scheduled enough. Either way, the consensus is for more. Sadly, Amazon Prime can’t overnight time.
Struggling to find the requisite time to cross the Cub annual off of my to-do list, I’ve learned I’m running out of time. Not by some chronic ailment, but by action. I’ve come to the realization that there’s those things I’m passionate about, and those people I’m passionate for. Learning how to prioritize one’s most limited resource is a struggle all can relate to, and as of late I’ve found that there is joy in setting aside time for those moments we want, those moments we need, and those moments we love.
Multitasking time and energy becomes our strategy. Phone calls while driving, emails while working out, dual purposing becomes a necessity while we book ourselves too tight and stretch ourselves too thin. Yearning to retire late in the evening with our hearts and minds satiated with a job well done, time is lost, and the important feedback loop is never closed. Jobs may be done, but were they done well?
I had a limited window between meetings and moments with our friends to tend to our Cub’s post-annual processes. A nice day at the hangar meant some of the kids wanted to tag along. Surely in two hours I could have had it all buttoned up and ready for flight. But then Luke said “can I help?” Matt followed suit, and while time was limited, time was there.
We may have wired the mag switch wrong a few times, but we remedied our mistakes and through a methodical pragmatic approach to the reassembly of the interior, we turned one hour of work into two. The plane might not be done, but we took the time available to us and made those moments that will last a lifetime.
Lately I stopped asking for more time. Surely I’m not asking for less, but I am approaching the subject in a new way. Writing this while my heart races amidst my morning workout regimen, I’ll multitask where quality isn’t lost. I’ll schedule important things (and remember to have Stef write it on the Evans Consortium Master Calendar (and Weather Record)). I’ll be forward with requests for my time and my talents, and solicit my confidants on where they rank in priority. I’ll be cognizant to set aside time for myself, for others, and maintain an adequate amount of flexibility to tend to those things that need me on a moment’s notice.
If the Cub has taught me anything, it’s the idea that less is more. Translating that to the matter of time surely will be a lifelong effort. Having seen the joys of turning time into my ally, I’ll continue my optimistic view of the future. I’ve been getting better at saying no, using Do Not Disturb, and better prioritizing each moment available to me. But for now my workout is done, lunch is calling, and these next few moments I’ll just stare at the picture above of my son reinstalling the fuel shutoff valve handle and yearn for the next two hours of work him and I can turn into four.