Spiritual Bookshelf Episode 4 : How to Make the Most of Your Day ?

心靈書架 Spiritual Bookshelf スピリチュアルな 本棚 Spirituelles Bücherregal

Hello! How’s your day going so far?

When it comes to money, most of us are careful to manage it by earning more and spending less. Why? Because running out of money causes inconvenience and stress. But when it comes to time, we tend to be far less concerned with managing it, often taking for granted that every new day brings a fresh 24 hours.

But is time really an endless resource?

Recently, Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old investing legend, wrote a letter in which he described time as unpredictable, often unfair, and sometimes even cruel. He explained that time can take someone’s life just as it’s beginning, or let others live for nearly a century before their time is up. Reflecting on his own life, he acknowledged that while he has been incredibly fortunate so far, it won’t be long before time catches up with him.

This serves as a powerful reminder: time isn’t infinite. Each of us has a limit, and we don’t know when we’ll reach it.

Hi, I’m Philip. If you, like me, want to learn how to make the most of the precious 24 hours we’re given each day, then you’re in the right place.

In today’s episode, I’ll share insights from the book 「時間術のベストセラー100冊」のポイントを１冊にまとめてみた, which I’ve translated as The Summary of 100 Best Time Management Books. Together, we’ll explore the concept of “saving and creating time” and how to make every day more meaningful.

We’re not short on time because we lack it, but because we haven’t learned how to manage it effectively. So, how can we “save” and “create” time? Let’s break it down into two parts:

Part 1: Creating Time

This section introduces a helpful framework: the 5 E’s + the 5-Time Block Method.

1.Sleep (Enough):Don’t sacrifice your sleep! The author emphasizes aiming for at least 7 hours of quality rest every night. Good sleep boosts your productivity, improves focus, and enhances overall well-being.

Studies show that insufficient sleep increases risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Even worse, research indicates that men who sleep less than 6 hours have a mortality rate 2.4 times higher than those who get 7-8 hours.

2.Wake Up Early (Early):Morning hours are golden. The first three hours after waking up are when your brain is most alert and creative. Use this time for learning or tackling challenging tasks. A morning hour is said to be four times more productive than an evening hour.

For instance, when I was preparing for language exams, I would wake up at 5:30 AM, focus on listening exercises, review my mistakes, and then reinforce my learning during my commute. I noticed a dramatic improvement in my performance compared to studying in the evenings after work.

3.Exercise : Incorporating exercise into your routine doesn’t just improve your health; it also sharpens your mind. I used to exercise at night but found it often got interrupted by work or fatigue. Switching to morning workouts was a game-changer, helping me feel refreshed, focused, and even inspired with new ideas while working out.

4.Leave Space (Empty):Did you know that Warren Buffett keeps a large portion of his day unstructured for reading and thinking? While we may not have the luxury to do the same, carving out 15 minutes a day to pause and reflect—free from distractions—can spark incredible insights.

5.Take Breaks (Escape):Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Overworking leads to diminishing returns, as your attention and efficiency decline. Taking regular breaks not only prevents burnout but also encourages creativity.

6.The 5-Time Block Method:The author suggests dividing your day into five blocks based on your body’s natural rhythms:

a.Before Work: Focus on exercise or personal growth.

b.Morning Work Hours: Prioritize tasks requiring focus and creativity.

c.Early Afte