CONTEXT
Who do we spend the most time with in life? The answers might surprise you.
A while back, I came across some fascinating data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They measured how much time Americans spend with other people over the course of 90 years.
There are 6 groups of people with whom we spend time. (But the proportions shift dramatically as we age.)
Here are 6 ways to minimize regret (and make the most of your 90 years).
THE 6 GRAPHS
1. TIME WITH YOUR PARENTS: This decreases sharply after age 20.
Takeaways:
- Try to live close to the people you love. If you can’t, then try to cherish your moments together.
- When apart, call them and say all the things that you’ll wish you told them more.
Btw, this essay by Tim Urban is the most important article I’ve ever read. TL;DR: If you only see your parents once a year (and they’re in their 60s)... you might only see them 20 more times. Ever.
2. TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS. Relatively, you get the least time with friends.
Takeaways:
- Choose your friends wisely. You can only keep a few.
- Make sure they bring out the best version of you.
3. TIME WITH YOUR COWORKERS. Between the ages of 20-56, your time with coworkers spikes tremendously.
Takeaways:
- Don’t settle for a job you dislike. Try to “build a life that you don’t need a vacation from.” (Here are my 5 most practical tips to build a career you love)
- Set healthy boundaries with your time.
4. TIME WITH YOUR PARTNER. This continually trends upward, peaking after age 58.
Takeaways:
- “Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 percent of all your happiness or misery.” — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
- Find the person who keeps bettering themselves and growing with you.
- I wrote a LinkedIn post called 3 actionable tests to choose your life partner (and it went viral). The Traffic Test is my favorite.
5. TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN. This peaks while your kids are young, and then sharply declines.
Takeaways:
- Try to be present for those first 18 years. (You may regret it later if you’re not.)
- Whenever you feel frustrated with your kids, imagine a future when they’re grown and you don’t get to see them often. I call this the “Back-In-Time Method” and many of you said this post was the most useful thing I’ve ever written. (It’s a 3-step method that I do at least once a week.)
6. TIME ALONE. After 40, people spend an increasing amount of time alone.
Takeaways:
- No surprise— you’ll spend the most time during your life solo.
- Invest in self awareness and growth until you love your own company. Mindfulness helps with this btw. I wrote this LinkedIn post about 6 surprising forms of meditation (that don’t involve sitting cross-legged on the floor in silence.)
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Remember— these are just the average trends. There’s nothing more powerful than realizing… you can change this graph at any moment.
My hot take? 20% of the people in your life bring you 80% of your happiness.
Ask yourself two things:
1). Who are they?
2). Can you spend more time with them this year?
When you look back at age 90, you’ll be so glad you did.
Until next week,
Jade
P.S. I still can’t believe how quickly all of our Archimedes spots sold out last month. 🥹
Interested in growing your personal brand on LinkedIn? My next coaching cohort starts July 28th! Ben Meer and I created the most exclusive members club for LinkedIn thought leaders. What makes our program different from others? Our members’ results speak for themselves. You can read tons of client reviews at JoinArchimedes.com.
.png)
.png)
.png)