Relationship with Time

"We often think about relationships with other people. But we never consider relationships with time." -Jesse Itzler. Joe Rogan Experience Podcast Episode #1127

I heard this quote on my long drive from New York to California. I have recently accepted a biathlon program director position for a new team on the west coast. The drive was long, boring, and admittedly; emotional. I thought a lot about the things I was leaving behind in New York. My friends and family. My connection to the NY ski racing scene. The beauty of the Adirondacks. I never felt like I was abandoning, but I definitely felt a part of me was left behind.

One of my new found hobbies to pass the time on long car rides is to listen to podcasts. considering I have my own podcast, I love listening to guests dive deep into their area of expertise and inspire the listener about topics I had never heard of before. Among my favorite conversation style podcasts is the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE). Joe's ability to converse comforts his guest into forgetting they are being recorded and you hear genuine thoughts and feelings of the guest.

Jesse Itzler, A successful entrepreneur and fan of pushing the limits to find his inner self was on this episode talking about the time he spent living with monks for 15 days in upstate NY. (He never said where but he said it was close to the Canadian border, near Lake Champlain. Probably somewhere around Plattsburgh.)

Jesse's experience with the monks lead to many hours alone with noting but his thoughts. And despite initial push back from his own conscience for days, his subconscious took over and helped Jesse understand himself in a way he had never known before.

Many valuable lessons came from the 15 days in isolation, however the one gem that stood above the rest was this concept of relationships. Not relationships of interaction with other human beings (the type that was drilling me in the heart on this long car ride.) But our relationship with time.

What an interesting concept. As someone who has literally lived a life where my self-worth and the self-worth of so many of my closest friends is determined by beating the clock, I have never considered my relationship with time. Is checking your watch on long training sessions to make sure you are submitting the appropriate investment of time a good or bad relationship? Are the choices I've made in my 23 years a good use of the limited time I have? What type of relationship do I have with time?

Jesse goes on to explain his interpenetration of relationship with time. He compares his age with the average age of an American and concludes he can segment his remaining time to assure he is spending time with the people he loves. He still goes to work and still makes time for himself, but now he is more aware of making time for those whom may not have that much time left, and he does not waste time on those who do not provide the proper return on an investment of time.

I thought a lot about my relationships with friends, family and time. For me, the most important part about my relation with time is how I choose to invest it. While this move to California definitely hurts the relationships with people, I want to make sure my relationship with time is spent doing the things I love, building the things I love, promoting the things I love and sharing the things I love with other people. The more I learn about the opportunity I have been presented here in Cali, the more I feel comfortable giving my time becasue the dreams of this club align with my dreams.

As for my relationship with people, I am not too worried. I know the way in which I invest my time will introduce me to people who hold the same values as myself. I will enjoy building these relationships and to me that is a good relationship with time.

Is this a good relationship or a bad relationship?