FACTS
The average person spends:
100 hours a year commuting to work compared to 80 hours of vacation time.
91 hours a week at work for dual-career couples with kids.
1.8 hours a day doing household activities.
2.6 hours a day watching television.
8.6 hours a day sleeping.
Time is a non-renewable resource. Once it is used up, you can't get it back.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
1. Stop and think... then make a list of what matters most to you.
2. Create a list of how you currently spend your time each week.
3. Organize your list of weekly activities and identify activities that are required and those that are optional and waste time.
4. Take steps to rearrange your schedule or reduce the optional activities so that you can spend time doing what matters most.
5. Don't waste time. Do this now.
What really matters most to you? Your relationships with family, friends, and children? Helping others? Passions? Faith? Security? Health? At the end of 2009, don't you want to look back and see that you made a difference? That you matter? This is the first Monday of the New Year. Start it off by making a difference in you, in your life, and in the lives of those you love. This is your opportunity. Time spent on what matters most is never wasted time.
YOU MATTER
Every Monday Matters provides 52 ways to make a difference in the world. Or -- another way of looking at it, according to Shannon Tilden of South Beach, Florida -- 52 New Year's Resolutions. According to her email, Shannon received a copy of Every Monday Matters as a Christmas gift and has decided to make it her "guide" for 2009.
"I know it is not Monday yet, but I already started on the first Monday in the book," wrote Shannon. "What Matters Most. What a great way to start off the year."
Shannon sent us her list of what matters most: her family, friends, exercise, work, giving back, her dog, and time spent relaxing and listening to music. And she promised to make these her priorities for the New Year.
"I was blown away by the facts in the book. It is amazing how little time I actually spend on some of these things that I say are so important to me," admitted Shannon. "I have not exercised in months and, if it wasn't for Facebook, I would not keep in touch with so many of my friends. But that's not really spending quality time with friends."
As we know, the majority of New Year's Resolutions tend to fall to the wayside, but we have a feeling Shannon isn't going to let that happen.
"I am really excited about making this year different, and I have already started the process. Today, I made a schedule to see where I have extra time and to find things I can eliminate from my schedule that just aren't that important. I am pretty fired up."
Shannon, we will be checking back with you throughout the year. And if we can't get in touch with you, we will talk to your family, friends... or dog! Well, maybe not. But we hope that you post your new list on your refrigerator and, most importantly, stick to it. Happy New Year. You Matter.
Please visit EveryMondayMatters.com to buy the book, get involved, and share your stories about making a difference in the world. You matter.