Time is money -phrase of time.
Meaning:
time is a valuable resource, therefore it’s better to do things as quickly as possible.
According to Wikipedia:
“Time is money” is an aphorism that is claimed to have originated[1] in “Advice to a Young Tradesman”, an essay by Benjamin Franklin that appeared in George Fisher’s 1748 book, The American Instructor: or Young Man’s Best Companion, in which Franklin wrote, “Remember that time is money.”[2]
“Remember that time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labour, and goes abroad, or sits idle one half of that day, though he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, it ought not to be reckoned the only expence; he hath really spent or thrown away five shillings besides.”[2]
However, the phrase was already in print in 1719 in the Whig newspaper The Free-Thinker: “In vain did his Wife inculcate to him, That Time is Money …”[3]
The saying is intended to convey the monetary cost of laziness, by pointing out that when one is paid for the amount of time one spends working, minimizing non-working time also minimizes the amount of money that is lost to other pursuits.
In delving into the deeper significance of the age-old adage “time is money,” it’s evident that its true essence often gets lost in translation. Rather than appreciating time as a precious resource beyond its monetary value, modern society tends to equate it solely with financial gain or loss. This mindset becomes evident when we find ourselves scrambling to meet deadlines or sacrificing personal time to accommodate demanding clients, all in the name of avoiding financial repercussions.
Recently, a young individual secured a position at a printing company specializing in banners, card boxes, and personalized gifts. The job listing explicitly mentioned a willingness to work overtime as a prerequisite. However, within just three weeks of joining, this newcomer was thrust into the whirlwind of relentless deadlines dictated by demanding clients.
The scenario unfolded thus: A client would place an order with the printing company at 3 pm, expecting it to be completed by the end of the following business day. This placed immense pressure on the employees, particularly those in the cutting and printing departments, to work late to fulfill these last-minute requests mandated by upper management.
Shockingly, this became the norm, transpiring a staggering 80% of the time. As a consequence, the workforce found themselves laboring not just the standard five days a week but enduring 12-hour shifts daily, with an additional six hours on both Saturdays and Sundays. The relentless cycle of demanding deadlines had transformed what was supposed to be a routine job into an all-consuming, exhausting marathon of work.
I understand the immense pressure that businesses face to accept every opportunity that comes their way to ensure survival. But at what expense? Is it worth sacrificing the well-being of their employees? Is it justifiable to weed out those who refuse to adhere to grueling schedules or those who can’t keep up with breakneck speeds?
Time is money — a phrase that is misunderstood in 2024. Let’s change our way of thinking and say: time is precious, money is momentarily.
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