Energy > time > money (full article)

a theory on identifying our most precious resource

This is the full article of a 5 part series. You can read each part separately using the links at the bottom of this post. You can also listen to an AI generated ‘podcast’ of the article (disclaimer: generated using NotebookLM, unedited by the author).

Part 1: Money > time > energy

If you were brought up in western society it’s likely that the hierarchy of precious human resources was explained to you like this:

1. Money

For the luckier ones, the list may look like this:

1. Money

2. Time

And for the luckiest of all, this:

1. Money

2. Time

3. Energy

“All you need to be happy in this life is money. Money makes you rich. Money makes you successful. Money. Buys. Happiness."

Money is absolutely important (that’s why it’s on this list). But there is a shift taking place. Particularly, as I read it, amongst younger generations. That shift is away from money being our societal ‘north star’, and towards time.

Why is this? Is it because the distribution, nature and value of money has and continues to change with each coming generation? And has that created a shift in our perception that time is, perhaps, the only real social leveller we have left? We all have the same amount of it to spend in the present moment; you can’t inflate or deflate time; you can’t put it away for the future in the hope that it grows into something bigger (although you can do that with your mind, which you can read about here).

Time is increasingly spoken of as the true measure of wealth. And free time the true measure of success.

I respectfully disagree.

I don’t believe that money is our most precious resource.

I also don’t believe that time is our most precious resource.

Instead, I believe this: energy is our most precious resource.

Part 2: Human energy

What do I mean by energy?

I’m not talking about fuel. I’m not talking about the stuff that powers the lights in our homes, the stuff we use to keep our cars on the road, the stuff that lands on the back of Homer’s hazmat suit during the opening credits of The Simpsons.

I’m talking about human energy.

The energy we have inside ourselves to get up and pursue whatever it is we consider worthy of pursuing: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

Let’s take a closer look.

1. Physical energy

   the capacity of the body to perform physically, driven by metabolic processes that convert food into usable energy. It fuels movement, bodily functions and endurance, influenced by factors like nutrition, fitness, rest and mental state.

2. Mental energy

   the capacity for cognitive function, focus and emotional regulation. It stems from brain activity, neurotransmitters and psychological factors like motivation and stress. Influenced by sleep, nutrition, mindset and mental workload, it determines alertness, problem-solving ability and resilience.

3. Emotional energy

   the capacity to experience, express and regulate emotions, influencing motivation, resilience and interpersonal connections. It is shaped by psychological state, past/present experiences and social interactions. Factors like stress, self-care and mindset affect its balance, impacting overall wellbeing, decision-making, and the ability to handle life's challenges.

4. Spiritual energy

   the ‘inner force’ that gives a sense of purpose, connection and meaning in life. It stems from beliefs, values and experiences, influencing wellbeing and resilience. Nurtured through reflection, mindfulness and community, it guides personal growth, ethical choices and a deeper connection to oneself and the world.

As is evident from the definitions there is a lot of cross-over between each source of human energy. But clear distinction, too.

And like a car’s fuel tank or battery, there are things we can do to either deplete or replenish the energy in each separate source.

So when I talk about energy in the context of this theory, I am talking about energy that we derive from physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sources. More specifically, I am talking about the state we feel in and of ourselves when these sources are combined to create… human energy.

Part 3: Energy > time > money

From the top: many people in our culture believe that money is greater than time is greater than energy. A brief illustration lacking in nuance but ultimately accurate:

“My life ambition? Get a great job and make loads of money. Then I’ll use my time and energy to do the things I really want.”

You might. Or you might not. Here’s how the traditional theory goes:

1. When I have enough money I’ll be able to do whatever I want with my…

2. time. And when I have enough time I’ll be able to focus on using my…

3. energy to go out and achieve all those other things I want to achieve with my life.

This is all founded on the assumption that:

a) we make enough money to unlock sufficient…;

b) time to do other things and during that time…;

c) we have enough human energy to invest in those things.

Let’s get to the heart of the alternative. Here’s how the reverse argument works:

1. There is little point in having lots of money…

2. if you don’t have the time to spend it, and…

3. there is little point in having time to spend it if you don’t have energy to enjoy it.

So now let’s flip the traditional hierarchy on its head and read things this way:

1. Energy is greater than;

2. Time is greater than;

3. Money.

I need energy to make the most of my time so that I can enjoy the money that I’ve worked so hard for. Not the other way around.

This applies as much in the present moment as it does 10, 20, 30, 40 years from now. Why spend excess energy today to obtain more time or money than you will be able to use and/or enjoy tomorrow?

Burning out

The crux of this dilemma results in one of the great issues of our day: burnout. The cost of continuously ploughing ourselves into ‘energy debt’ today (which will result in burnout) is the diminished ability to optimise the way we spend our time and our money tomorrow.

A brief example.

We get to the end of another punishing work week and Friday afternoon is full of thoughts about how we’re going to spend our free time and hard earned cash over the weekend. A few beers on Friday night and by the time Saturday morning rolls around all we want to do is sit on the sofa watching Netflix for the next 48 hours.

(I have a shameful example of this that sticks in the mind. As a former, but enthusastic supporter of Chelsea Football Club when living in London, I was too tired and lazy to make the short trip one Saturday afternoon to see their open top bus parade after they won the Champions League in 2012. I was actually going to miss this once in a lifetime event, which I’d been craving for years, because I’d spent too much energy the week before and couldn’t be bothered. Thankfully, not for the first or last time, my wife got me up off the sofa and made me go - with her).

Somewhat synchronously, Insight Timer (the mindfulness meditation app I use to time my practice) offered this as its thought of the day yesterday:

“Spend your money on the things money can buy. Spend your time on the things money can’t buy.” - Haruki Murakami

In the spirit of this series let me add to the great Murakami’s wisdom with some of my own:

“Spend your money on the things money can buy. Spend your time on the things money can’t buy. Spend your energy enjoying the time and money you have available to you.” - Haruki Murakami (feat. JR)

Part 4: How to build human energy

If you’re still reading then something about my theory that energy > time > money is resonating.

Some part of you may agree that human energy is our most precious resource. One to be used, cultivated and grown now, not neglected today in the hope that we might still have it in abundance tomorrow.

So how do we prioritise - and obtain - more energy in the here and now? To help answer this question I’ll go back to our energy framework, above.

The energy we have inside ourselves to get up and pursue whatever it is we consider worthy of pursuing: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

Many of these points are clear as day but let’s not overlook the obvious in favour of the obscure. Each of them has value in and of itself but, as I’ve spoken about before at Manage Your Mind, the power lies in consistency and the magic of compounding.

Here are twelve of the most effective, but also most convenient ways to increase your human energy today in ways that will serve you now and in years to come:

Physical energy

1. Prioritise quality sleep - note the two active words ‘prioritise’ and ‘quality’. Prioritising means making a small but notable sacrifice to put sleep before something else (another episode, another beer). And quality means preparing well - a regular bedtime, limiting/eliminating alcohol, evening meditation, reading and not scrolling etc.

2. Cold water exposure - a tough habit to crack but so worth it when you do. My recommendation? A 30 to 60 second cold shower at the end of every hot shower. Get the blood flowing beneath your skin and feel deeply, physically energised for the rest of the day. It also helps keep your immune system running well and gets you outside of your comfort zone on the regular - a great mental exercise.

3. Drink 2l of water daily - so easily forgotten but so essential to consistent physical (and all) energy levels. Get yourself an inexpensive but good quality flask and make a habit of sipping away throughout the day. In my experience (as a historically terrible water drinker) it’s even better if the flask is brightly coloured, and has a built in straw. Maximum visual impact, minimal physical fuss.

See also: engage in a ‘wellness’ activity; enjoy a nutritious meal; daily movement (run/walk/cycle); yoga practice etc.

Mental energy

1. Read for 20 minutes daily - I’m an avid reader and always have at least one book on the go. I usually read before bed, but by that point I’ve wound down don’t need the energy that reading can offer. So a great way to gain mental stimulation from reading is to keep a separate book somewhere within easy reach during the day. I keep a non-fiction in the kitchen and take 20 minutes most mornings to read with my coffee. A sense of accomplishment, new information and a moment of peace before the day begins.

2. Today’s most important task - this is a great one. The night before, or in the morning, intentionally choose one task you have to accomplish today and make it your most important one. Personal, professional, spiritual - it doesn’t matter. Choose it and complete it. Not only will it encourage you to focus, it will also deliver a big dopamine hit when complete and get you into the habit of prioritising, an undervalued skill in today’s ‘business’ economy.

3. Get out of your comfort zone - another excellent daily habit that, sure, takes mental energy, but also returns far more than the initial investment. Identify one thing you can do today that will push you beyond your comfort zone. Exercise, social interaction, committing to something big (or small). We all have comfort zones of different shapes and sizes so this is all about knowing where your boundaries lie. Why not make this your most important task too?

See also: early rising by 05:00; social media blackout; sow the seeds of tomorrow etc.

Emotional energy

1. Make a decision - ruminating is one of my greatest skills. I ruminate and ruminate some more especially when it comes to personal decision making. On one hand being able to set out multiple different scenarios and eventualities is a great skill but it can also create inertia and in the worst cases missed opportunity. It’s also emotionally draining to be non-committal. So, pick one decision you’ve been delaying and make it today. Commit, move forward, gain the experience.

2. Talk to somebody you trust - as with decision fatigue, inner-dialogue fatigue is very real and very tiring. Like most people I have on-going conversations in my head about various things. I’ve learned how to make these more productive and fulfilling conversations, but until I’ve spoken the words physically with another person they often remain on a loop with no clear outcome. Connect with somebody you trust, steel yourself and share with them what’s on your mind. You’ll be surprised by how many people are out there just willing to listen.

3. Social media blackout - put simply, such an important thing do to on the regular. If social media has become part of the fabric of your existence then a spontaneous or scheduled, a 24 hour (or longer) social media blackout will remind you what life was like Before Instagram (BI). Or go one better and change your relationship with social media altogether. You will feel more.

See also: do what you want to do; say no to something/someone; headphones + loud music etc.

Spiritual energy

1. Connect with your people/places - they are all around us but so often passively observed. I’m talking about our people and our places. The people and places that we can connect with and immediately feel better about the world and our place in it. And by connect, I mean focus on the interaction we have with them. Put down the phone, dial in fully to the conversation or the environment and let the energy flow between you and the person/place you’re with.

2. Write/say something meaningful - in a world where words are cheap it can pay dividends to choose and direct yours with care. Of all the things you say, write or communicate of a day, make it a habit to reserve at least one statement - whether verbal or written - for better treatment. Write or say something meaningful to somebody you love, admire or who has done something of value. That somebody could even be you.

3. Meditate for 20 minutes - the direct connection. The O.G. The number one way I know to gain spiritual (and physical, and emotional, and mental) energy that pays off in every other walk of life. Give yourself a gift that will make the rest of your life better by learning how to meditate and practice it as often as you can.

See also: spend time with nature; engage in a breathwork practice; host a talking circle etc.

Part 5: A challenge and an invitation

Thanks for coming on this short but (I hope) energetic journey with me. To conclude, four short final points: a summary, an experience, a challenge and an invitation.

A summary

Many people in our culture believe that money is greater than time is greater than energy. I respectfully disagree. I need energy to make the most of my time so that I can enjoy the money that I’ve worked hard for. Not the other way around.

An experience

Where does my theory that energy > time > money come from? Experience. I started my adult life under the traditional hierarchy and found it wanting. I slowly learned to flip it on its head, first by prioritising my time over my money, and then my energy over my time. So far, so good. Check back in a few decades to see where I’m at.

A challenge

Earlier I spoke of twelve effective but convenient ways to increase your human energy today in ways that will serve you now and in years to come. Here’s your challenge.

Choose one upcoming week, ideally next week or a week this month, and commit to carrying out at least one physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy-giver each day that week. Note down which ones you did and how they made you feel during and after. If you don’t end that week on a high I’ll be surprised.

An invitation

Finally, an invitation. An invitation for you to explore this idea deeper in your own way. Are there blanks or holes in the theory from your perspective? Excellent - fill them in. Is your personal experience of energy, time and money different from mine? Of course it is. Apply it to this theory and see how it shakes out. Most importantly, if you have a point to contribute, challenge or support the theory, please do make it in the comments section below or privately via john@manageyourmind.org.

Here’s to a life of better energy.

You’re always welcome here.

JR

Energy > time > money (part 1 of 5)

Energy > time > money (part 2 of 5)

Energy > time > money (part 3 of 5)

Energy > time > money (part 4 of 5)

Energy > time > money (part 5 of 5)