Quick. Name two things that will control you if you don’t control them.
Answer? Time and money.
Anyone who knows me might know that I’m not the best advice-giver on those two topics. I am convinced, though, that the person who expertly manages his time is actually wealthier than the person has the Midas touch with money. Why? No matter how you manage money, if you spend it, you can get it back. (Okay, sorta, but like I said, I’m not a financial advisor.) But when it comes to time … once you “spend” it, it’s gone.
Think about it. Time is this infinite construct that we use to mark passage of, well, time, but when it comes right down to it, time is definitely finite. Time relentlessly, unapologetically marches on, but once it has passed, it is gone. Yet it continues. My philosophy-oriented friends can completely nerd out on that observation. But me? It just makes my head hurt.
When I spoke to students at last year’s career day event at Rock Bridge High School, my focus wasn’t on creativity, writing, and all things journalism.
The takeaway I wanted them to leave with was that no amount of creative endeavor will even happen unless we take the time to do it.
That’s such a “duh” statement, I know, but it’s fundamental to learning the importance of time management.
If I don’t manage my time — if I don’t tell it what to do, as Dave Ramsey says about money — then my time (or money) will tell me what it will do. Now, when you figure out exactly what skills are needed to be an expert time and money manager, please let me know.
The October 2025 issues of COMO Business Times and COMO Magazine are focused on wealth and finances. We’re happy that local financial advisor Ashli Eaves, a newly published author and a member of the 20 Under 40 Class of 2025, is now a contributor to CBT’s “Money Matters” department. As you read her article and other stories in our magazine, take note of the stories and topics you would like to see addressed, then shoot me an email with your thoughts.
In the past couple of weeks, I’ve been asked how we come up with our story ideas and how we decide which ones to tell. That’s a longer conversation for another day, but the short answer is we listen to our readers. I’m confident that we have a strong connection with our readers, but there are stories out there that no one is telling. That includes us.
Have a story idea? Let me know.
We’re especially eager for reader contributions to our “Movers & Shakers” and “Closer Look” departments. “Movers & Shakers” is all about employee achievements, from new roles to awards and certifications. “Closer Look” is a mini profile of new or under-the-radar businesses. We always need reader recommendations and suggestions for those kinds of stories.
I also encourage you to peruse “What’s Going Up?” and the listing of new business licenses that we provide in each issue of COMO Business Times. There’s a lot of information packed in those articles to give ample evidence that Columbia is indeed growing and thriving, which counters the uninformed public narrative that the sky is falling. But is there still work to do? Oh, my, there is so much work still to do.
Now send me your ideas, tips, and even critiques. What are we doing well? What are we not doing well? I’m looking forward to those conversations.
