Shifting the Self Worth Equation

Time Management Analysis (TMA)

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Published Jun 4, 2025

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Among the many tools I provide to help people assess their use of time, probably one of the clearest challenges in time management comes from the Work-Life Balance (WLB) report. Now, if you have read any of my work for a while, you know I think work-life balance is a mirage. As much as you try and maintain an equilibrium between professional and personal life, events tend to pull you in different directions. For many, that default is…work takes precedent.

This leads individuals to define their value in life to their occupation. So much so, that when you apply the results of the WLB, the formula looks like:

Self-worth = (80% X Professional Life) + (20% X Personal Life)

For the average person, careers can consume over 40% of awake time but even more of our energy, causing us to use time outside of work to recuperate and recharge the batteries for the next day. Others jump right from work into personal obligations and over-scheduled activities that sacrifice personal care and sleep to compensate.

In the pursuit of enhancing the amount of quality time in all of life, the components of your own self-worth equation should be examined, challenged, and adapted so that you are creating a formula that encompasses all aspects of your existence. Here are some of the ways to consider.

Define a Purpose Statement

“What do you do for a living?” It is a question often asked when people meet for the first time. However, it is often a conversation stopper when one of the participants is retired. While an easy way to get started, it immediately channels the conversation into only the professional side of life.

When asked this now, I typically respond, “Let me tell you about my purpose in life. I seek to make the best use of my time that God has given me.”

I am not going to lie, I have gotten all kinds of responses, and it has been a conversation stopper as well. Yet, it often leads to a “Why?” I now get to control the response and direction of the conversation.

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David Buck is the author of the book The Time-Optimized Life, coauthor of The Retirement Collective, and owner of Kairos (Time) Management Solutions, LLC. Learn how to apply the concepts of proactively planning and using your time. Take the Time Management Analysis (TMA), the Retirement Time Analysis (RTA), or all the other free resources offered to help bring more quality time into your life.