When time is the currency, it’s easy to overpay

Lessons in saving and investing for young people have a very big gap. They teach the individual the use of only one currency: money. Well, these small amounts that remain in the wallets of students, or even the first salary of aspiring corporate employees do not require too much effort to maintain. Meanwhile, on the other hand, rests a currency which cannot be placed in a bank account or investment fund. A currency which we cannot get back, yet at a young age we use in a very carefree manner. It is time, the most valuable tender which the younger generation has.

The question is, does it not surprise a great deal of young people who engage themselves in such an unpaid internship for the second, third, or fourth time, because their previous one taught them very little or they were told they were not a good fit. I for one am very surprised by this, and it confirms for me that the trap of wasting time is very much alive and catching a lot of people in its grasp, even entire graduating classes. This ends up with the individual’s inability to assess their knowledge and evaluate their level of competence. So, frustration guaranteed. It is a two-sided frustration; the employee thinks that the employer undervalues them, and the employer thinks, “he came here for a short time, didn’t like it, and left without saying a word.”

How is it with time? How much is it worth? Let’s look at the functioning of the “Little Brothers of the Poor” association. Voluntarily sacrificing their time to save the lives of the elderly often enough, who suffer primarily from loneliness. A newspaper read together, a discussion of an article on current events, or looking through photographs. Listening to stories of how things used to be and talking about that and how things have changed these days. Reminiscing, keeping company, and drinking tea together. If only for an hour a week. Time is for someone a lack of loneliness.

Or maybe something else – the Academy of the Future. Volunteers who meet with their younger charges and help them find their strong suite, giving them support in hard times and showing that it is worth it to work toward your dreams; that it is worth it to look to the future and that there will always be someone there to show their support even if it is but a verbal one. Time is someone’s better tomorrow.

Time is a beautiful and dangerous form of tender. Well invested it can gain you experience, enjoyment and fulfillment. By making mistakes we can lead ourselves to frustration, breakdown, and a feeling of loss; this is a high-risk investment as nobody can give us back time we have lost. Maybe a guide for time investment would be useful, or a yearlong training course, or perhaps one simple rule is enough: the rule of extreme prejudice, and a clear “stop” for anyone who wishes to waste our time. ■