Time Is Precious. Use It Wisely.

Time is our most limited resource, yet it’s the one we most often take for granted. We plan for promotions, vacations, and retirement, but rarely do we plan how to spend our time today.

How many times have you said, “I don’t have time for that” or “I’ll do it later”? But more often than not, later never comes. Whether it’s work, home, friends, family, hobbies, vacations, or simply getting through your to-do list, we push things aside in the name of being “too busy.” But when exactly will there be time — if not now?

We often treat time as though it’s infinite. But in truth, it’s the one resource we can never get back. What if we thought of life as a carefully laid out Project Plan? It might help us see not just how time passes, but how we can better use it.

The Stages of Time

Let’s view our life in five key project management phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring and Controlling, and finally, Closure.

1. Initiation: The Wonder Years

This is where our project (aka our life) begins. At this early stage, we define life at the highest level, full of possibility. As children, we have no concept of time. We dream of what we might become. There are no responsibilities, just curiosity and joy.

2. Planning: Setting the Path

As we grow, especially during our teens and early adulthood, we begin forming goals. Think of graduating from high school or college as the formal kickoff. We now have a goal in mind with a general schedule: What career do we want? Where will we live? What do we want to achieve? There’s both excitement and fear. Getting that first job is Milestone #1, a thrilling and uncertain step into the plan.

3. Execution: Building the Life

As our careers and lives progress, we transition from planning to execution where doing becomes the focus, not just dreaming. Tasks are being assigned and completed. We may be advancing professionally, getting married, starting families. Life becomes a balance of work and home, deadlines, and dinner table discussions. We are “doing” but not pausing.

4. Monitoring and Controlling: Guiding the Team

As time progresses, we enter a phase of oversight. Careers are established, and we may take on leadership roles, managing teams, and mentoring others. At home, we may be empty nesters or caring for aging parents. Time feels like a scarce resource. We’re tracking progress, adjusting course, and trying to maintain quality: both in work and in life.

5. Closure: Retirement

Eventually, the project comes to a close. Retirement marks the end of formal deliverables. We’ve archived our achievements, handed off our knowledge, and hopefully created a life we’re proud of. But even in this stage, time matters deeply: It becomes more precious, not less.

Time Allocation: When Do We Stop?

In each of these life phases, it’s easy to tell ourselves we’re “too busy.” We say, “I’ll take that trip after the kids grow up,” or “I’ll start painting again once I retire.” There’s a hurry in our minds to finish each stage quickly. We wait for the “someday.” But more often than not, someday never comes. Each new phase brings new demands, not fewer.

You may assume you’ll have time later. But later has its own list of obligations. Even when you reach the monitoring phase, the demands don’t disappear. At work, you’re needed as a mentor. At home, aging parents or growing families pull you in new directions. The statement “I don’t have time for that” creeps back in.

When Is the Right Time?

Now is the time. Make the time. Find the time. No matter what phase you are in, there is time. There is no day better than today. Who knows what tomorrow brings, but today you can make the change.

Make the time. Find the time. Own your time.
Call the friend you’ve been meaning to reconnect with.
Pick up the hobby you loved but left behind.
Take the vacation you’ve postponed again and again.
Spend more intentional time with family.
Think about your career strategically, not just tactically.

Time is not something we find; it’s something we choose to make. Life doesn’t pause so we can catch up. It moves forward with or without our attention. Whether you’re just starting out, deep in your career, or approaching retirement, the truth remains: The best time to live is now.

Reflect on where you are in your life’s project plan, but don’t wait for the “right phase” to do what matters. Prioritize what brings you joy, connection, and purpose today. Because while projects end, the impact of how we spent our time lasts far beyond the final phase.

Amber Kodish is the managing member of GovCon Tech LLC, a services company that helps commercial businesses navigate and secure government contracts. In addition, Amber currently holds several board positions including the University of Maryland Master of Business Analytics (MSBA) advisory board chairperson, Targa AI board member and investor, Springboard Enterprises CEO mentor, and Idea VillageX entrepreneur mentor.

As a former CEO of a data science company, Amber improved products while opening new channels, resulting in significant revenue. She successfully built and led a new public-sector team from the ground up, launching a key market segment for a SaaS company. Earlier in her career, at a Fortune 100 company, she managed the sales and deployment for $0.75B in business for the federal government.

Amber holds a master’s degree in business administration from Drexel University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rutgers University.