Time is always described as a river flowing through human life. However, we are often the ones who stand by and watch the river flow. We complain about time being scarce or insufficient. We also know that when we listen to our inner voice, it tells us that this is not the real issue. We often direct our energy and attention to empty things, to time-killing, non-reviving activities, and thus experience a problem in managing our priorities. This makes us feel as if time is inadequate. This is precisely where the main question makes itself felt: Can humans manage time by managing themselves?
The answer is neither difficult nor complex. Because there is no other way.
Humans consume themselves, not time
Humans consume themselves, not time. Time exists with human existence. No one can interfere with this phenomenon, which encompasses all living things and in which they exist. It is a vital stage where every action finds its meaning and is recorded. Therefore, humans exist through their actions. Time bears witness to this.
So much so that those who claim to be able to interfere with this existence have created perhaps hundreds of methods under the name of time management. They created agendas, made lists, colorful plans, and beyond. All of these have one common feature: none of them, regardless of their order and arrangement, can protect us from ourselves. Because the real goal is not to align minutes or time, but to align the mind.
When humans first succeed in managing their own thoughts, emotional reactions, and the behaviors and habits that arise from them, Time naturally falls into order. It holds a mirror up to humans and makes them witness their own actions. When a discipline of will transforms into self-planning, that is when humans realize that “time” is working in their favor.
Otherwise, even a plan you consider perfect can be disrupted by a notification sound, a desire to procrastinate created by laziness, or a drop in motivation resulting from a disliked behavior.
Those who identify and clarify their priorities, and align their time with their values, use it to their advantage and rein it in.
I exist. I accept myself as I am with my existence
The first step to self-management is to sincerely answer the question, “I exist. I accept myself as I am with my existence. So, what is important to me?” while maintaining inner and outer balance. Because those who are unaware of their own priorities use their time to fulfill the priorities of others.
Situations we call “day’s fatigue” and whose cause we can never quite grasp, stem entirely from the multitude of empty and unnecessary tasks. The way to free oneself from this situation is to know what one is doing and why, and to be able to plan and manage oneself. In such a situation, a person knows how to choose, extends time for themselves, and eliminates the excuse “there isn’t enough time.”
Those who can manage their thoughts and emotions, control their mind and become its master, own the life they desire within the flow of time. That life finds such existence within them that they don’t strive to kill time, don’t procrastinate, don’t postpone themselves, don’t act perfectionistically on creating something exactly as they envisioned, don’t suffer from fear of failure, and as a self-managing person, they hold the steering wheel as the master of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Thus, by abandoning the effort to dominate time, they listen to their inner voice and find peace in their existence, where divine laws will manifest with its rhythm and harmony. They flow in the timelessness of their true self.
Meeting the Self and the Journey of Freedom
This is a discipline. A discipline where the divine operating system will serve your being. A journey of meeting the Self and freedom within time.
Many people may see discipline as a restriction. However, when properly understood and grasped, the opposite is realized. That is, someone who disciplines themselves in the flow of life does not spend their time mercilessly and abandon it to randomness. By creating order and a space for freedom, they enjoy being alive. Existence serves them. Because they are where they need to be. All their plans are based on this. They know what to do and when. Their mind is under their control and clear. Their productivity has increased, and their stress has decreased.
To put it beautifully, time is as generous, vast, and ready to serve as it can be. As long as humans can manage themselves.
In conclusion, time cannot be managed. The term time management is an illusion. Because only humans can manage themselves.
If we could interfere with the sunrise and sunset, then we could manage time. Every sane person knows this is not possible. Therefore, when humans can manage their inner world and habits transformed into behavior, instead of conforming to the flow of time, they create something that will serve their own existence, and enjoy meeting the beauties that time will offer them in the present moment.
One who can manage themselves is connected to their essence. Self-management is the manifestation of the creator finding existence in this body. In this manifestation, there is peace, happiness, love, certainty, serenity, friendship, and brotherhood. There is no such thing as the other.
