part 9 of 10 of the Thriving in Uncertainty Series
Welcome to the 53rd edition of #theFutureReadyAdvisor Newsletter!
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Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Mastering Time: Succeed by Acting Wisely in the Moment
Time is our most valuable resource, and it moves in only one direction. Once a moment passes, it’s lost forever. No matter how much we plan, prepare, or strategize, we can’t reclaim what’s gone. Like a farmer who cannot rush the growth of crops by watering them twice as much, there are seasons in life that demand patience. There’s a time to sow and a time to harvest—and neither of these can be forced. Nor can time be banked for later.
In business and in life, the same truth applies. As financial advisors and business leaders, we often get caught up in the hustle and long-term goals, forgetting that some moments are irreplaceable. Imagine a child who wants to learn how to ride a bike when they’re four years old. They ask for your help, and you intend to make time, but work calls, deadlines press, and you promise yourself that you’ll make it up to them later. But that specific moment—their wide-eyed excitement, the thrill of learning something new with you—cannot be banked for another time. When your child is 17, they’re not going to ask you to teach them to ride a bike. Similarly, when they’re eight years old and ask you to come watch their school play, that opportunity won’t wait for a more convenient time. When missed, these moments don’t come back.
No matter how much we wish otherwise, time only flows in one direction. The moments when our children want to spend time with us—whether learning to ride a bike, getting help with a school project, or seeking comfort after a bad day—are fleeting. We might think we can make it up to them later, but later is different. When they’re older, their priorities change. You can’t go back and recapture those early moments with a teenager who has already moved on. The lesson is simple: being present in these irreplaceable moments matters more than we often realize. Just as in business, there are critical moments in family life that, once missed, can never be regained.
The Present is All We Have
We often hear about the need to plan for tomorrow, but research has shown that focusing too much on the future can detract from living well today. Harvard professor Ashley Whillans’ research highlights how people who prioritize time over money tend to live happier, more fulfilled lives. In one study, individuals who chose time-saving experiences, like delegating tasks or paying for conveniences, experienced greater well-being compared to those who prioritized material gains. This is a powerful reminder: encouraging clients to balance their future goals with enjoying today will lead to deeper satisfaction.
For advisors, this insight should resonate. Yes, we help clients plan for the future, but we should also remind them that there is no point in deferring all joy to a distant “someday.” The same holds true in leadership—there are moments that need our attention now, and if we miss them, they can’t be banked for later.
The Regrets of the Dying: Lessons on Cherishing the Now
Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse, spent years documenting the most common regrets of those at the end of their lives. Her findings revealed that the most frequent regret was, “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” So many of her patients wished they had spent more time with loved ones, enjoyed life’s small moments, and prioritized what truly mattered.
Many patients said they wished they had worked less and spent more time with their children. This sentiment, Ware discovered, was nearly universal. The regret of missing out on life’s irreplaceable moments wasn’t just about grand life changes—it was about failing to be present when it counted. We can take this lesson into our lives and leadership.
Consider your team: there are moments when your colleagues or employees need your support and presence, not just your directives. Just as a parent cannot substitute being at their child’s recital or teaching them to ride a bike with a future promise, a leader’s presence is sometimes more important than any strategic plan or future-oriented decision.
Entrepreneurs and Timing: Success and Missed Opportunities
The business world is filled with examples of entrepreneurs and companies who either seized the right moment or missed it entirely. Timing is often the critical factor that determines success or failure.
- Instagram: Launched in 2010, Instagram’s success hinged on perfect timing. Mobile technology was just hitting its stride, and people were looking for new ways to share experiences visually. The app capitalized on the smartphone revolution, allowing users to post photos quickly and easily. When Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012, it was a clear example of seizing the moment. Had Instagram launched earlier, before the smartphone boom, it might have been too soon. Any later, and the market would have been too crowded. Instagram’s founders understood the importance of timing in riding cultural and technological waves.
- Friendster: On the opposite end of the spectrum is Friendster, one of the earliest social networking sites, which launched in 2002. While it was innovative and quickly gained users, the company couldn’t scale its infrastructure to meet the demand. Frequent outages and slow performance led users to flee to MySpace and Facebook, which were better prepared for rapid growth. Friendster’s failure to adapt in time, and its inability to seize the momentum it had built, ultimately led to its downfall.
These stories demonstrate that success isn’t just about having a great idea; it’s about understanding when to act and how to prioritize the moment.
Being Present in Leadership
One of the most powerful examples of understanding the importance of timing and presence in leadership comes from Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. Nadella has been widely praised for transforming the culture of Microsoft, but his leadership style is rooted in an understanding of the human side of business. When his son, Zain, who was born with severe cerebral palsy, passed away, Nadella shared how this personal experience shaped his approach to leadership. He emphasized the importance of being fully present—not just in personal life, but in how you lead your team.
He has championed a growth mindset within Microsoft, but it’s not just about business growth. Nadella encourages his employees to embrace both their professional ambitions and personal needs. He understands that there are moments—whether in business or family—that require our full attention. These moments cannot be delayed or substituted; they must be cherished and attended to in the present.
Cherish the Now
We often believe we’ll have more time—more time to show up for our families, more time to guide our team, more time to enjoy life once we’ve achieved some future milestone. But the truth is, time is finite. We cannot bank it, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. This isn’t just a personal lesson—it’s a leadership lesson too.
As advisors, we should be encouraging our clients to balance their financial plans with living today. It’s not enough to focus on future goals; we need to remind them that life happens now. The same is true for leadership—if we are always thinking about tomorrow, we might miss the moments that matter today. Whether it’s being there for a team member, spending time with a loved one, or simply savoring a personal victory, these moments are what make life—and work—truly fulfilling.
Key Takeaways for Advisors & Leaders
- Balance Long-Term Goals with Today’s Joys: Help clients and teams plan for the future without sacrificing the present. Remind them that life is not just about reaching a destination but enjoying the journey along the way.
- Be Present in Critical Moments: Whether with family, clients, or employees, there are moments when your full attention and presence are irreplaceable. Show up when it matters most.
- Encourage Reflection on What Truly Matters: Share the lessons from Bronnie Ware’s Top Five Regrets of the Dying with your clients and teams. Encourage them to make decisions today that they won’t regret tomorrow.
- Remember Timing is Everything: Success is often about acting at the right time. Help clients and your business capitalize on the present while preparing for future opportunities.
Call to Action: How Do You Balance?
We all struggle with the balance between living in the moment and planning for the future. How do you navigate that tension in your life or business? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories about times you got the balance right—or wrong.
In the final installment of this series, we’ll dive into Evaluate—taking a twofold approach to success. We’ll explore how to use the right metrics to measure true progress and what it means to define when you’ve reached “Enough.” Stay tuned!
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