You have it, I have it, we all have it. Since this resource is limited, it matters immensely how we manage and use it.
Here’s what you need to know about this asset: Whatever and whoever you allow into your life will demand an investment of that asset. Thus, your resources need careful attention before distribution.
Let me explain.
Last year, an acquaintance unexpectedly inherited a home from her grandmother. He had two options – to sell it or rent it.
He decided to become a landlord.
“I mean, the house kinda fell on my lap,” he said. “I’ve never thought about being a landlord, but I’m super busy and it’s easy passive income.”
He really was super busy with his full-time job, young family, and elderly parents. It was no surprise then that the easy and passive quickly turned into challenging and all-consuming.
The home needed repairs, upkeep, and insurances. It was nothing out of the ordinary, but the frustrating part was he had never been interested in owning rental properties; it wasn’t his dream nor passion. To boot, the home was in a difficult-to-rent neighborhood.
A year later, we spoke of the house again. “If I just calculate all the time and worry I’ve put into this house, I’m way behind,” he said, “to say nothing of the money!”
His investment ended up being more of an obstacle than an opportunity, more difficult than easy.
“I didn’t think it through,” he admitted. “This is not what I want to invest in. I could have spent my money and energy on something more useful.”
The lesson of this story applies not just to money, but also to that asset I’ve been talking about. I’m sure you guessed it –
Your most valuable asset is your life energy, your life force; in essence, your time.
Investing is easier to understand when it comes to something tangible, like money in real estate. Yet the same principles apply to human interactions: the moment you engage, you are an investor of energy and time.
When someone provokes a reaction in you – before you jump into the opportunity to explain yourself, argue, attempt to persuade, or, (if you are crazy courageous,) to change someone’s mind, ask yourself – is this something I want to invest in?
Be it in your kitchen, morning commute, or business meeting, trying to persuade someone to take action or consider a different way of thinking (read: engaging in an argument or conflict), is like trying to make a profit in the real estate market: immediate satisfaction may not lead to long term gains. What you may enjoy at the moment, may bring misery in the long run.
Whether you’re investing your money or energy, both require careful consideration, clarity, and estimation of the long-term profit.
Just because a property is triggering an emotional reaction in you, doesn’t mean you need to invest in it.
Just because the other person is triggering a reaction in you, doesn’t mean you need to invest in it.
eva fanari
Keep this in mind when you are in a situation to negotiate or “get your way.” Just because an opportunity presents itself, doesn’t mean you have to take it.
Your life energy is your most valuable currency. Pause before you open your “wallet.”
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash. Thank you!