If you had asked me five years ago, “Hey Jerry, what do you think is your most valuable asset in life?”, I would’ve said time without hesitation. If you ask me that same question today, I would say attention. My attention is my most valuable asset.
How Come You Changed Your Answer?
I came across a YouTube short where Naval Ravikant, the founder of AngelList, talked about what the real currency of life is. Here’s the video:
Here’s the key thing he says:
"Time itself doesn't even mean that much because a lot of time can be wasted because you're not really present for it. You're not paying attention. So the real currency of life is attention. It's what you choose to pay attention to and what you do about it."
That hit me hard. It just clicked. Attention is money.
Where we place our attention is how we spend our time. And when you look at it that way, attention becomes the most valuable asset in life.
What Was Different Then Versus Now?
First, I think I have more direction in my life now. That clarity makes me more intentional about where my attention goes, and by extension, how I use my time.
Back then, I wasn’t juggling as many things. I wasn’t studying for a new career, writing a blog, playing volleyball, or chasing new goals. I also wasn’t on social media much. My attention wasn’t the limiting factor.
Now? I’m on social more. I’m doing more, which means my attention is constantly being pulled in different directions. And it’s also easier to waste attention on stuff like Instagram or YouTube. I catch myself doom-scrolling way too often.
Final Thoughts
Just like time, our attention is also limited. We can’t give 100% of our attention to multiple things at once. You can’t drive down the highway at 80 mph while writing an essay and not hit somebody (assuming you’re not in vehicle that has FSD). So where we direct our focus and attention is important.
Saying attention is my most valuable asset doesn’t mean time doesn’t matter. Time is still precious. It’s a limited resource. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. This truth hit me harder with my Dad’s passing.
So I’m encouraging you (and reminding myself) to be more mindful of where your attention goes because how you spend your attention ultimately dictates how you spend your time.
