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  • Stress blog

  • Oct. 20, 2010

    Time is precious. How will you spend it?

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

5 comments posted

At a recent conference, I was given a copy of the book, "The Last Lecture," by Randy Pausch. I was familiar with the story in a general way. At the height of his career as a tenured scientist at a major university, Dr. Pausch was stricken with advanced cancer of the pancreas. His time was limited. The clock was ticking. He delivered his "last lecture" to the academic community, but it soon spread throughout the world via the web.

Need more help?

If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

I found many powerful lessons in this book, but one especially impressed me: You have only so much time, and you need to decide how best to spend it. When you have a goal — something you need to do — it becomes easier to focus your time and energy. Dr. Pausch also emphasized how important it is to write down your goal. If you don't write it down, it won't get done. And your energy will be wasted on trivial pursuits.

What did others take away from Dr. Pausch's fine book?

5 comments posted

blog index
  • September 17, 2012 8:39 p.m.

    Been thinking all day of my frdiens who left on this trip today. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Despite all the obstacles it took to do this trip (including a cancelled first attempt due to the Iceland volcano!), they persevered and are going to make a HUGE difference in the lives of many women. Their spirit alone will be healing to these people. God's blessings be with you all!

    - Mahadewi

  • November 11, 2010 2:36 p.m.

    It was an inspiring book, aside frm the fluff. If a man given a terminal diagnosis can squeeze so much out of life and his key relationships, then surely the rest of us can do better and stop taking our (limited) time for granted.

    - Alan

  • October 28, 2010 7:40 a.m.

    You have to believe with your entire conscious and unconscious being that nothing matters except the goal.Time then gets more manageable and less formidable.

    - The Goal

  • October 21, 2010 1:35 a.m.

    I read this book last year and was impressed with the content. I have learnt many things from Dr. Pausch. Childhood is precious. I often postponed to share "my time" with my kids. Now we spend our precious time together with joy.

    - tan

  • October 20, 2010 2:10 p.m.

    I am really waste a lot of time. I don't know why I always spend time on computer or shopping... I am worried about that, I don't Know how to control myself, and I felt I will be a loser after that.

    - yaya

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