One billion seconds is about 30 years.
Let that sink in. Thirty years—an entire career, a lifetime of friendships, personal growth, and memories—boiled down to a number that fits neatly on a calculator screen. If you’re twenty, you have about two billion seconds left (assuming you make it to eighty). By fifty? You’re down to one billion.
The real question is: Are you investing or squandering those seconds?
For most of us, the game we play is always about what’s next.
- “When I land that promotion, then I’ll be happy.”
- “Once I buy the house, then life will be good.”
- “As soon as I lose these ten pounds, I’ll feel confident.”
But here’s the problem. That game? It’s rigged. Because when you finally get that promotion, that house, that perfect weight—you realise it’s not enough. There’s always another milestone, another goal post that shifts just out of reach. And before you know it, you’ve spent decades chasing future happiness instead of embracing the moments that actually make up your life.
The truth? Time is the most precious currency we have. And how we spend it determines whether we feel fulfilled, engaged, and joyful—or stuck in an endless cycle of dissatisfaction.
The Cost of Delayed Happiness
Imagine someone hands you a billion dollars, but with one catch: You can’t use it. No spending, no investing, no enjoying. Just watch it sit there.
Sounds absurd, right? Yet, that’s exactly how we treat time.
We hoard it, assuming we’ll always have more. We waste it on things that drain us. We put off the experiences, the risks, the joys—thinking, I’ll get to that later. But later is a slippery thing. And if we’re not careful, it turns into never.
Are You Living on Autopilot?
Let’s be honest. A lot of us are busy, but not necessarily engaged. We move through our days tackling to-do lists, sitting in meetings, answering emails—feeling like we’re accomplishing something, but at the end of the day, wondering why we still feel unfulfilled.
Why? Because productivity isn’t the same as purpose.
When was the last time you felt alive—fully immersed in what you were doing, not thinking about the next thing on your list? When did you last make a decision based on what truly matters to you, rather than what’s expected?
If it’s been a while, you’re not alone. High-achieving women—especially those in male-dominated industries—are often conditioned to measure success by external markers. We’re taught that our worth is tied to how much we do, how well we perform, and how seamlessly we juggle it all.
And that’s where Impostor Syndrome sneaks in, whispering:
- “You’re not doing enough.”
- “You need to work harder.”
- “If you slow down, you’ll fall behind.”
But here’s a radical truth: Slowing down doesn’t mean failure. It means presence.
Reclaiming Your Time—Starting Today
So, how do you actually start using your time wisely? Not by cramming more into your schedule, but by aligning your time with what truly fulfills you.
Here are three ways to do just that:
1. Define Your “Why”—Then Prioritise It
Your time is only valuable if it’s spent on what matters to you. Yet so many of us don’t stop to ask: What do I actually want?
Not what your boss wants. Not what your family expects. Not what society says success should look like. What feels meaningful to you?
Take a step back. Get clear on what drives you. Maybe it’s impact, creativity, connection, adventure. Whatever it is, make sure your time reflects it. Because if you’re spending every waking moment on things that drain you, you’re not making the most of your billion seconds.
2. Stop Letting Perfectionism Steal Your Time
Perfectionists spend so much time fine-tuning, over-preparing, and second-guessing that they miss the moment entirely. (Yes, I see you triple-checking that email before you hit send.)
But here’s the thing: Done is better than perfect.
You could spend weeks refining something to 100%—or you could hit 80% and actually move forward. Which one do you think gets you further in life?
3. Protect Your Time Like the Asset It Is
Every billionaire has one thing in common: They don’t waste money.
Time billionaires should do the same. Ask yourself:
- Am I spending my time with people who uplift me or drain me?
- Is my schedule filled with tasks that energise me or ones that keep me “busy”?
- Am I doing things out of obligation or genuine desire?
And most importantly—am I allowing time for rest? Because burnout isn’t a badge of honour. It’s a warning sign that you’re spending your time in ways that don’t serve you.
This Is Your Billion-Second Life—Live It Now
Here’s the reality: Time moves, whether you’re paying attention or not. The only question is—are you spending it on the things that truly bring you joy, fulfilment, and confidence?
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. But you can start small:
- Say no to things that drain you.
- Stop waiting for “someday” to pursue what excites you.
- Give yourself permission to enjoy today—without needing to “earn” it first.
Because the best way to make the most of your billion seconds? Live like every one of them matters.
And trust me—they do.
If this has been useful for you I’d love you to share it with your friends or anyone else you think may find it useful.
Remember, you can unleash your unique version of success.
Your Coach
Stephanie
Ready to Ignite Your SPARK?
As a Certified High Performance, Wayfinder and Imposter Syndrome Informed Coach, I’m here to support you on this transformative journey. Whether it’s in your career, health, or relationships, my coaching programs are designed to help you achieve heightened and sustained levels of performance and potential. Are you ready to embrace these inner shifts then let’s embark on this journey together!
Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can support you:
Join our IYS Community – to connect with like-minded individuals focused on increasing their ENGAGEMENT, CONFIDENCE & JOY in work (and life)
Access your FREE Online Training – and learn how you can immediately hit higher levels of performance and potential in all you do!
Take the High Performance Questionnaire – to understand if you’re ready to go to the next level and live a life full of engagement, joy and confidence…
Book a Chat – so we can breakthrough what you’re currently challenged with and take the next action towards living the life of your dreams!
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