It’s hard to believe that you and I have the same number of hours in our day as Oprah, Elon Musk, and LeBron James. It often seems that some people are so prolific, talented, or successful that they must have a monopoly on time. They must have more hours than the rest of us to accomplish everything they do.

But we know that’s not true. They have the same 24 hours we do and always have. Time is one thing in life where there’s no unfair advantage. And no matter how hard we try, we can’t create more of it.

Almost everyone I know is constantly moving from one thing to the next, often in a near-literal sprint. We get the kids off to school, work long days, come home to make dinner, and then tackle the cleanup. In between, there might be a trip to your son’s ninja training or your daughter’s dance class. And then there’s homework. I see this cycle all the time with clients and friends.

The other day, I had plans with a friend whose child attends a traditional school. Playdates are a great way for us to catch up, but to my surprise, the kids didn’t even get home until 4:30 p.m. As a homeschooling parent, it was a stark reminder of how disconnected I can feel from that reality.

That evening, I reflected on how we’re trained into a lifestyle of constant motion. As kids, we spend most of our day at school, followed by homework, dinner, and maybe another activity. Then it’s time to bathe, and mom or dad tucks us in for the night. With kids going to school at younger ages, we’re conditioned early to stay busy.

It becomes a never-ending cycle of tasks, projects, appointments, and events that fill our days until we finally escape for a brief vacation once or twice a year.

This relentless pace leaves little room for connection, reflection, or planning a purposeful life. Is that even considered in our routines? For many, it’s not. Culturally, taking time for those things is seen as a luxury or, worse, a waste of time.

The irony is that if we truly assessed how we spend our time, both at work and outside of it, we might find much of it feels chaotic and unfulfilling. At its worst, it drains us, offering little value in return.

I know firsthand that there are tasks we can’t avoid. I haven’t figured out how to delegate watering my flowers in the summer yet (though I’m still brainstorming that one).

Despite working full-time, writing for a magazine, being active in a women’s group, homeschooling my son, and running this business and blog, I feel like I’ve broken free from the usual constraints of time.

It’s not that I’m not busy—I am. But I’ve learned to focus my attention in a way that creates a sense of freedom in what I do. Over time, I’ve also been working to phase out activities that don’t inspire connection, love, passion, joy, or curiosity. I still have more work to do on that.

It’s up to us to retrain ourselves. We once learned to thrive on constant activity. What if we taught our children—and ourselves—that our time is our greatest asset, and we can reshape how we use it by changing our focus?

If we prioritize improving ourselves, refining our processes, and shifting our perspectives, we can create lives that are not only more meaningful but truly extraordinary.

We all have the ability to engage with the world in new and powerful ways. I believe our potential is far beyond what we imagine, especially when we contribute positively to our lives and the lives of others.

Imagine what life could look like if we intentionally reclaimed our time—not just to tick items off a to-do list but to build a life that resonates with our deepest values. It’s not about doing less but choosing better. It’s about infusing each moment with purpose, allowing ourselves to breathe, connect, and grow.

So, let’s take that inventory. Let’s prioritize what truly matters and eliminate what doesn’t. Because when we shift our focus, we don’t just change how we use our time—we transform our lives. And in doing so, we give ourselves the freedom to thrive, create, and contribute in ways we never thought possible.

The journey to a more meaningful, balanced life starts with one question: How will you choose to spend your time today?

Plan today,

Jennifer