The American Dream of Time

The American Dream of Time

Nita needs time to sleep. Kate wants time to hike and enjoy nature. Beau wants more time with his family. Levi wants time to read his e-mail and “just think.” Time is the dream of most people I spoke with this week. One complete day to spend as they desire would be a luxury.
According to the Take Back Your Time initiative, millions of Americans are overworked, over-scheduled and stressed out. Americans put in longer hours than they did in the 1950s and mandatory overtime is at record levels. The average vacation time is a little over two weeks per year. I get tired just thinking about this!
Nita is principal of a 700 student junior high school. Her elderly parents moved in with her last year and her 24 year old daughter is planning a wedding. Nita spends 12-14 hours a day at work. “I would love one week to myself,” she said. Nita doesn’t see that happening any time soon.
Kate works 40 hours a week as a technology integrationist. She spends each day with computers, DVDs, e-mails and software. Many nights work follows her home. “Sunday afternoon I just threw up my hands and went for a hike. That was the most relaxing day I’ve had in months.”
Beau and his wife have a two year old son. Both parents work full time and their son attends daycare each week. Time away from work is a luxury for them. Levi is a full-time college student with a job that takes 20 hours of his time each week. He has a hard time imagining what two full week-end days away would be like.
How did Americans arrive here? Why are they spending more time at work and less time enjoying life? Financial coach Barbara Stanny believes that Americans grew up thinking they needed to have more than their parents did. This was their definition of success. To achieve these things they needed more money. To earn more money they needed to work more hours. The cycle kept repeating and created a worn out generation.
Bosses, employees and even students can realize this dream of time. It may mean a change of habit, but it is attainable. Ms. Stanny tells us, “Success is having more time. More time for hobbies, for travel, for kids. It’s not about how much money you have, it’s about living your life on your terms.”
I urge you to consider all this as you “fall back” with the change from daylight savings time. Take back some time and smell the roses.