The Wisdom of Mandela

South Africa’s first Black President, the anti-apartheid hero and Nobel laureate, Nelson Mandela, transformed his country and inspired the world.  In every respect, he was a man who knew how to make the most of his time.

Affectionately known by his Thembu clan name, Madiba, the “Father of Nation” spent 27 years in prison for his anti-colonial sentiments.  Thankfully, his activism and eventual career in politics were not deterred by cement walls.

Mandela became the president of South Africa in 1994—four years after being liberated.  The legacy of apartheid was dismantled under his leadership.  Institutionalized racism was replaced with racial reconciliation.

Mandela was hailed internationally for his activism, becoming an icon for democracy and social justice while receiving more than 250 honors, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

Rethinking Time

I’m not ready.  I don’t have time to do this.  It’s not the right time.

If these thoughts go through your head whenever you face a new challenge or task, it's time to change your mindset.

Change is never easy, so remember how you manage your time takes practice and consistency.

Besides, we all make time for what's really important.  Now think: how can you apply this mindset to help you manage your time more broadly?

Start by prioritizing how you spend your time.  Be consistent and form better habits.

Daily routines are beneficial to your health and lifestyle.  Health professionals advise starting small, making one or two changes a day.  Too many changes at once can result in a “behavior relapse” and set you back. 

Start small and dream big.  You have control over how you spend your time.  As Australian entrepreneur Rachel Bermingham says,

It's not about having enough time, it's about making enough time.

Next Steps

Here are techniques we use here at The Sukha Company to prioritize how we spend our time.

• Follow the Eisenhower Matrix, Pareto Principle or Pomodoro Technique to help with time management and prioritization.
• Set S.M.A.R.T goals to overcome challenges.
• Try new things.  Learning is constant and keeps your brain fresh by forming new connections.
• Prioritize self-care.  Make time to rest and appreciate the little things.
• Practice mindfulness.  Regain control of your thoughts with the power of awareness.

How you spend your time is in your control.  Take control of it.