Change How You Think About Time: The Key to Unlocking Your Potential

Samchetsabam Ratankumar Singh *

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” — William Penn

In a world that moves at lightning speed, many of us still find ourselves stuck—trapped in cycles of procrastination, chaos, or just plain exhaustion. We say, "I’ll start tomorrow," or "I’m too busy right now." But here’s the truth no one tells you: you don’t need more time—you need a new mindset about time.

Time is the great equalizer. No matter where you're from, how much you earn, or what job you hold, each of us has the same 24 hours in a day. What sets successful people apart isn’t wealth, education, or intelligence—it’s how they use those 24 hours.

Let me take you on a journey that might just shift the course of your life.

The Myth of the “Busy Life”

There’s an old African proverb that says, “Time waits for no one.” Yet, many of us live as if we have forever. We think time management is for corporate leaders or executives. "I'm not a CEO," you might say. Or "My life is too unpredictable for planning." But let me ask you—when was the last time doing nothing changed your situation?

A sailor doesn't throw away the sails just because the wind keeps changing. They adjust the sails. Your life is no different. If your days are unpredictable, if your job is unstable, if your mind is scattered—then that is exactly why you need a system.

"He who fails to plan is planning to fail." — Winston Churchill

Time management is not about living by the clock—it's about aligning your daily efforts with your long-term purpose.

From Chaos to Clarity

There was once a janitor in NASA who, when asked by President Kennedy what he was doing, replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” That’s the power of purpose. He wasn’t cleaning floors; he was contributing to history.

When you shift your mindset from “I’m just working to survive” to “I’m building a better future,” time becomes your ally.

Start with clarity. Ask yourself:
o What is the one thing I can do today that brings me closer to my goal?
o What can I stop doing that’s wasting my time?

Time is not about doing more things—it's about doing the right things.

The Lazy Man’s Guide to Time Management

You don’t need to be super-disciplined to manage your time. That’s a myth. In fact, the best strategies are the ones that require the least amount of willpower. Think about brushing your teeth. You don’t debate whether or not to do it—you just do it. Why? Because it’s automatic.

Great leaders automate their decision-making where they can. Barack Obama wore the same colored suits during his presidency to avoid “decision fatigue.” Steve Jobs did the same. The fewer small decisions you make, the more mental power you reserve for the big ones. Set routines, not resolutions. Build habits, not hope.

Success Leaves Clues

Study the lives of great men and women, and you’ll find one common trait: they respect time.

o Benjamin Franklin created the first to-do list in the 1700s and scheduled his day down to the hour.
o Oprah Winfrey blocks time for thinking and self-reflection daily, no matter how busy she is.
o APJ Abdul Kalam, the people's president of India, followed a strict schedule, even replying to thousands of student letters personally because he believed in purposeful time.

They didn’t have more time. They just had more clarity on how to use it.

When You Hit Rock Bottom—Use It as a Foundation

There are those among us who have walked through fire—poverty, loss, heartbreak, and illness. If you're reading this and thinking, "I’ve already wasted too much time. It’s too late," then let me tell you: Your past is not your prison—it’s your power. You can rise again.

Many leaders started from nothing. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, grew up in public housing. J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter as a struggling single mother on welfare. Dhirubhai Ambani began as a petrol pump attendant. And still, they changed the world—not because they had the time—but because they made time count.

“It is not length of life, but depth of life.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Time is a Currency—Spend It Wisely

If money is limited, you spend it carefully. So why do we spend our time as if we have an endless supply? Every moment you waste scrolling endlessly, arguing pointlessly, or procrastinating ruthlessly is time you will never get back.

Treat your time like gold. Invest it in learning a new skill. Spend it with people who uplift you. Use it to help others. Because someday, when you look back, it won’t be your job title that brings you pride—it’ll be the time you used wisely.

Build Before You Need
o Don’t wait to lose your job to update your resume.
o Don’t wait to fall sick to take care of your health.
o Don’t wait to hit crisis before you ask for help.

In the words of Confucius:
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Take that course you’ve been postponing. Start networking. Revisit your goals. Prepare. Because opportunities don’t knock twice—and if you're not ready, they’ll pass you by.

Help Others Climb While You Rise

True success is not about reaching the top alone—it’s about lifting others while you climb. Be the mentor you never had. Recommend someone for a job. Share your knowledge freely.

There’s an old saying in Tamil: “Katrathu kai alavu, kallathathu ulagalavu” —

“What you have learned is a handful; what you haven't is the size of the world.”

The more you share, the more you grow.

From Job Seeker to Leader

o To those seeking a job: be relentless. Every “no” is one step closer to a “yes.” Tailor your resume, sharpen your skills, and walk into every interview like you belong there—because you do.
o To those in a job: be grateful, but don’t be stagnant. Learn, grow, and contribute beyond your job description.
o To those leading teams: lead with empathy. People don’t leave bad jobs—they leave bad leaders. Inspire, don’t instruct. Empower, don’t micromanage.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell

Final Thoughts: Time Is Your Greatest Asset

There’s a reason the most successful people guard their calendars like treasure. Time is the only thing you can’t buy back.

Start today. Even 15 focused minutes a day can transform your life in six months.
o Learn a new tool.
o Read a page.
o Reach out to a mentor.
o Reflect on your journey.

Remember: Success is not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right thing at the right time, repeatedly.

In the grand story of your life, you are the author. The clock is ticking—but the pen is in your hand.