The Time You Have Left (in Jelly Beans)

Hey guys, JP here. Today I want to share with you a video that an investor friend shared with me… I found it very poignant. It really made me stop and think about, not only what I’m doing in my life and reassessing it, but what I am doing today and with each moment.

So I am going to share with you the video and let it have its effect on you first. Then, I’ll come back and explain what it stirred within me, and see if you found the same values as well.

So without further ado, watch this 2 minute video…

Now that you have a visual picture of the time that you have left (in jellybeans, no less)... Let me share with you some candid thoughts.

Thing #1: Make your Moments Count

Be intentional with how you invest your moments, not passive. Don't 'spend' your time... INVEST it. It's a small shift in thinking that can make a huge and positive difference in your life. At any moment, ask yourself:

Am I using this moment in a way that's congruent with my values and who I want to be?

And also…

What's the highest and best use of my time right now?

Time stops for no one, so make every moment count. Be happy. Be grateful. Be ambitious. But yet, be content (yes, it's possible) and don't waste a day if you can help it – because tomorrow is never promised.

Carlos Castaneda says it well here:

“I wanted to convince you that you must learn to make every act count, since you are going to be here for only a short while, in fact, too short for witnessing all the marvels of it."

Thing #2: Put Work in its Proper Place

Work hard, but don't give yourself to your work. Be ambitious, but don't let ambition be your master. Hard work and achievement (especially on something you truly enjoy) is rich and fulfilling and a part of what we're created to do... but only a part, and not the primary part.

No one ever said on his deathbed: “Gee, I just wish I would have worked more."

Invest more time with those things (and those people) you'll regret not having done more with in those final moments of your life.

Here’s a great quote by Les Brown that really puts it in the right words:

“Make each day count by setting specific goals to succeed, then putting forth every effort to exceed your own expectations.”

Thing #3: Have a Clear Vision for your Life

And, make sure it's YOUR vision, not someone else’s.

Don't let others around you decide who you are, who you should be, or how you should invest your moments. It's your life... fight for it. Focus more on experiences, and less on “stuff.” Serve more, give more, learn more and share more.

Here’s the perfect quote to explain what I mean:

“It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth – and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.”
~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

So, those are my thoughts. I hope you guys found this as powerful as I did.

How Do You Feel Now?

I am anxious to hear how this video and my thoughts affected you guys. If anything resonated with you or maybe changed your way of thinking, I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.