Time is the ONLY meaningful currency

I am sitting in Chicago waiting for a connecting flight. I am enjoying a glass of wine in the lounge. I am working, trying to get things done. I want to come home and be with my wife, my family, and with my team, to give them the time they deserve. 

This ever faster-paced society demands we work all of the time, harder, and strive to get more done. From teachers, to college students, to parents, to corporate executives  — We all want more time! 

I am returning from one of the only youth conferences I speak at anymore. I retired from school speeches about 2.5 years ago. Now I am very selective about what I choose to do. We have a STUpendous group of speakers that travel the world delivering powerful messages to youth. For me it was the time I spend away from home, office, and family that drove me to reduce my speaking schedule drastically. 
 
The North Dakota State Student Council Conference is the one event I have spoken at more than any other place: 18 times in 27 years. I am actually an honorary North Dakotan. The State Association has been run by the same man for 40 years. Les Anderson, a retired middle school principal that volunteered long after he was paid to be in education, continued to care and provide for the student leaders of his state. 

Let me be clear, I said volunteer. He hasn’t been paid a cent in 40 years for his work in Student Leadership. 

There’s another key thing to know about Les, he’s been married for more than 50 years to an amazing woman, Debbie. She has Alzheimers and requires Les to be there for her 24/7. He takes her out dancing every night that he can. You see when Debbie dances she remembers the steps and is happy. So Les who is in his 70’s continues to spend his time to care for his wife and the students of North Dakota.

I love and respect Les. I consider him one of my 5 mentors. Someone I strive to be like. To live like. To love like.

I hope this holiday season you decide to look at how you spend your time. Do you waste it playing video games or watching television? Do you sleep away your days? Do you spend your time on selfish pursuits? 

OR, do you give and spend your time wisely?

Les, turned to me today while we were watching the final keynote speaker together. He said, “Stu, never forget, you get what you give. So give wisely.”

I will Les, I will. 

Thanks for spending your time on a Canadian kid 22 years ago, when you took the risk and invited me to North Dakota. I am forever blessed. 

In leadership and gratitude,
 

Youth Leadership Camps Canada (YLCC) inspires and empowers today’s youth to leave a positive impact on our world. With our innovative leadership programs and dynamic staff, we instil in students a greater understanding of the short and long term impacts of their words, choices and actions.