Everyone has a personal currency they value most in life. For some, it’s money or success, but for me, the most important currency is Quality Time. How we spend our time reflects our values and ultimately determines the richness of our lives. As a Baby Boomer in the Third Act of our lives, maximizing your Quality Time is the key to living fully and purposefully. Here’s how I do it and how you can, too.
Prioritize What Truly Matters
The first step to maximizing your time is to focus on what truly matters to you.
In my life, I prioritize my relationship with my fiancée the most. We came together in our mid-50s, and we know that our time is limited, so we make it a point to maximize our time together. Simple things like running errands, eating well, or exercising together are part of how we share our time. She is my #1 priority.
I also have four adult kids, and although they are all grown, I prioritize making time to see them, talk with them, and enjoy our relationships as adults.
My previous marriage taught me the importance of prioritizing my relationship. While my ex-wife and I got along, we sacrificed our connection to raise our kids. Over time, as the kids grew older, we drifted apart. With my fiancée, I’ve learned from that experience and made her the #1 priority. I won’t repeat that mistake.
Learning to Prioritize can save time and help avoid burnout. Gary Keller’s “The One Thing” advises focusing on the one thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessary, which is a crucial strategy for simplifying your life, especially as a Boomer.
The Importance of Learning to Say NO
Learning to say “no” has been a challenging process for me. I grew up a people pleaser, but over time, I’ve learned that saying “no” is essential for protecting my priorities. Recently, I’ve begun saying no to plans I don’t want to do just to be “nice.” Learning how to say no to clients has been a game-changer for me. It’s allowed me to focus only on the aspects of the business I’m best at instead of trying to please everyone.
Even in my relationship, saying no has taken on a new significance. I would say yes to things in the past to avoid conflict. But now, when I say no to my fiancée, it carries more weight because I genuinely don’t want to do it, and she respects that.
This can be incredibly challenging for those like me who are people pleasers. The pressure to say yes to every opportunity or favor can be overwhelming, but setting boundaries early is crucial. Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” teaches us that not everything deserves our energy or time, which is an essential lesson
Be Fully Present
In today’s world, distractions are everywhere, but I’ve found a few practices that help me stay fully present in the moment. First, I’ve learned that multitasking doesn’t work. I make it a rule to shut down email and notifications while working on a project. I also meditate every morning after I work out to center myself for the day ahead. Lastly, I have a strict no-phone rule at dinner with family or friends — those moments deserve my full attention.
When I’m home with my fiancée, we rarely watch TV. Instead, we put on some music, share a glass of wine (or Tequila, in my case), and just enjoy being with each other. In these simple moments, I feel the power of being fully present.
For Baby Boomerss, cultivating this habit will help build stronger relationships. Gary Keller’s “The ONE Thing” and Mark Manson’s advice about letting go of trivial distractions are great tools for staying focused.
Invest in Your Health
Health is the foundation of Quality Time, and for me, it’s anchored in three pillars: exercise, mental health, and diet.
- Exercise: I aim to work out every day. While some days it’s impossible, I always try to move and get in plenty of steps. Staying active keeps me energized for the essential things.
- Mental Health: I meditate every morning and evening using the Insight Timer app. I’ve also learned not to hold things in and to have difficult conversations when necessary. This prevents regret and keeps me mentally clear.
- Diet: I eat primarily plant-based, though I make exceptions for sushi and the occasional pizza. My diet is clean, except for my love of coffee and good tequila.
There was a time when I was 25 pounds overweight, eating poorly, and had no energy. I was overly stressed, and my work and personal life suffered. I decided to run a marathon, trained for six months, and cleaned up my diet. I lost almost 30 pounds and felt the best I ever had. Learning about plant-based eating only enhanced my health further. While a burger might look good, I’ll regret it two hours later.
For Baby Boomers, investing in health creates more opportunities for Quality Time. When you’re healthy, you can be fully present and engaged and enjoy life to the fullest.
Nurture Key Relationships
Time with loved ones is where I find the best Quality Time. With my fiancée, I’ve learned the importance of prioritizing our relationship. With my kids, it’s about finding moments to connect as adults and share meaningful experiences.
For those in their later years, building and maintaining meaningful relationships will continue to pay dividends now and later in life. Nurturing relationships with friends, colleagues, or partners is one of the best investments you can make. Stephen Covey’s “Habit #5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood” reminds us that listening deeply is the key to stronger relationships.
Be Mindful of Technology Use
Technology can create and waste Quality Time, so it’s essential to use it wisely.
On the one hand, technology has helped me automate tasks that would otherwise take up precious time, allowing me to focus on more important things. For example, setting up reminders, automating bills, and using apps to manage my schedule have freed up more time for my personal life.
On the other hand, technology can quickly become a time sucker. Social media and mindless browsing can rob us of the moments that truly matter. I make it a point not to use my iPhone when socializing with friends.
Align Your Time with Your Values
Maximizing Quality Time means ensuring that how I spend my time aligns with my values.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that not everything deserves my attention, and that’s okay. I focus on spending time with my fiancée, nurturing my health, and deepening my relationships with my kids.
Gary Keller’s “The ONE Thing” is an excellent tool for anyone looking to clarify their values and align their time with what truly matters.
Schedule Relaxation
Relaxation is vital for maintaining energy and balance. I make it a point to allow myself to chill when needed. This includes kicking back on the couch, watching a football game, or reading a book for fun. Learn to relax without guilt.
For us Boomers, learning to embrace rest will help prevent burnout and create a sustainable lifestyle. Stephen Covey’s Quadrant II framework emphasizes the importance of planning downtime to avoid exhaustion, while Mark Manson’s advice encourages guilt-free relaxation.
Conclusion
As a Baby Boomer, Quality Time is your most valuable currency. By focusing on health and relationships and aligning your time with what matters most, you can live a life filled with meaning and joy.
Take a moment to ask yourself: How are you spending your time? Minor adjustments, like learning to say no, managing distractions, and investing in what truly matters, can help you maximize your Quality Time and live a more intentional life.
Howard Dee is the Voice behind, BoomerWisdoms.com, and has a Facebook Page (here you’ll find great advice. on health AND articles about the great music we all grew up with)
Finally, Boomer Wisdoms has a newsletter that goes out every week and covers a variety of topics, such as 70s Music, Health and Fitness as a Boomer, and the best books to read. If you are interested, please
