Erika Funny

“If you’re just letting the time pass at your job, it’s just dead time and you’ll never get it back. If at that job you’re learning and you’re observing and you’re seeing about people and connections, it’s suddenly alive time.” -Robert Greene

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone, only to look up and realize an hour has slipped by? I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. This profound statement by Robert Greene, alongside the ‘Memento Mori’ philosophy, has made me deeply consider how I use my everyday moments.

Concentration has been a challenge for me lately. One evening, instead of reading as planned, I found myself watching ‘Gen V’ on Amazon Prime. Although entertaining, this represented a classic case of ‘dead time’ – it was passive and not particularly enriching.

This was a wake-up call. How often do we, perhaps unconsciously, choose passive over active engagement? Looking ahead, I plan to watch the upcoming Hunger Games movie in theaters with my siblings. This, I consider ‘alive time’, as it’s an opportunity to bond and create memories.

Our daily decisions significantly impact our perception and use of time. These small choices dictate whether we live a life of passive consumption or active learning and self-improvement.

Practical Tips:

To maximize my ‘alive time’, I use time blocking and minimize distractions by keeping my phone in a different room. This helps me focus and ensures I dedicate time to meaningful activities.

Remembering ‘Memento Mori’ reminds me to use my time wisely. Our days are numbered; choosing ‘alive time’ enriches our lives with meaningful experiences and relationships. How do you ensure your days are filled with purpose and growth? Share your strategies or experiences in the comments and let’s inspire each other to make the most of every moment.

Additional Resources

Ryan Holiday, talking about this in more depth detail about Robert Greene