By Sylvester Oluoch
The aphorism, “time is money” is as practical as it is metaphorical. Most people who have put a high premium on time have reaped much in rewards. This maxim denotes much for Africa’s success.
Planning our time with the idea that time is money is instructive. However, it is only half the truth. “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” Jim Rohn. Time is inflexible and every second is a second to everyone living. To set up on a journey that empowers Africa, we must disabuse our minds of “African time.”
Africa’s progress is about creating more opportunities for generating more money. This requires that we break from the mindset of “African time” which is generally an excuse for tardiness, procrastination, and insensitivity to solid planning. There is no such a thing as failing to plan. You are either planning to succeed or, by default, planning to fail by not planning.
Time is money is not just a cliché, it is a law, a dictum that prescribes how Africa stands to budget better just by planning our time, adroitly for effectiveness and efficiency.
The maxim “time is money” is deliberately meant to direct our awareness towards the profound opportunities to create money and riches that relies on how we use our time.
When we individually set goals that make grudging use of time, we ensure that all our time goes towards the advancement of our goals. African nations can borrow a leaf in time management from Japan. In Japan, time is indeed money. They move like “clockwork”. According to Harvard business school review of March 1971, Japanese time management teaches three major things:
- Making effective decisions
- Harmonizing employment security with other needs
- Developing young professional managers
By adapting some of these time management techniques, Africa can turn time into money just like Japan has done over the years.
Also read: The Great Daughter of Africa
