My brother recently turned me onto a podcast where they interviewed an author by the name of Bill Perkins, who was sharing ideas from his latest book ‘Die with Zero’.

To summarize, the author theorizes that in order to get the maximum fulfillment out of life, we need to prioritize and allocate our lives based upon three different buckets:  time, money, and health.

Building off of the inevitability that our time on Earth is finite – his gauge is approximately 4000 weeks (@ 77 years on average), how we spend that time is extremely important.  His argument is that living a “fulfilling” life is a juggling act between time, money, and health.  Getting the timing and allotment on these three factors correct is a constant balancing act.

For example, money to a newborn child is immaterial, and by that same definition, money to a 95-year-old is also immaterial (for various reasons).  His theory, then, is that there is some sort of curve where the acquisition and spending of money is important somewhere in-between these two points – we just have to figure out where that “prime” spot is.  When should you work hard to acquire wealth – and conversely, when should you spend that money?

Same with our health.  While a person should spend some time focusing on their health and well-being (as this adds to the “time” bucket), there is a point where spending so much time on health is self-defeating.  He states that if a person spends hours and hours a week in the gym, they are spending TOO much time on their health, allowing other areas of their lives (such as relationships with family and friends) to suffer.

Lastly, he speaks about time.  Specifically, how we spend that time – as well as the “timing” of life events (delayed gratification).  If we work all of our lives saving for a retirement where we yearn to travel, what happens when we get to retirement age and for one reason or another – CAN’T travel?  We’ve missed our “window”, and thus missed out on an opportunity that would have provided memories and enriching experiences – if we only took advantage of the chance earlier in life.  Similarly, should we spend time binge watching episodes of ‘Friends’ alone in our homes on television, or use that time to interact with our “real” friends through shared experiences?  What way is better?  Which way provides the most fulfillment?

This is just a sample of what is covered, but it really hits home and provides a topic of conversation as well as a moment of self-reflection.  Most of these concepts are also not new.  While we have all heard the expression “enjoy life while you have the chance”, this podcast (about two hours long) really dives into the details.  In the end, each of us has our own definition of what “maximum fulfillment” is, and I found that the ideas presented in the podcast helped me to crystalize and define what those values are in my own life.

Here’s a link to the YouTube video, if you’re interested.

I highly recommend it, if for nothing else but as a thought exercise.

Enjoy your week!