Time. Talent. Resources...

By: Ryan DuBois

As I reflect on what it truly means to commit to excellence, three essential elements keep coming up: time, talent, and resources. During a recent run with a friend, we talked about the phase of life we’re both in—what we called the "impact phase." This is where the focus shifts from simply achieving success to making a difference that lasts. It's about being intentional with what you have and using it to create meaningful change.

1. Time: Your Most Valuable Currency

Time is something we all have in common, but how we choose to spend it is what sets us apart.

John Wooden once said,

“Don’t let making a living prevent you from making a life.”

Think about that for a second.

How are you really spending your time? Are you caught up in distractions or investing it in things that truly matter?

Even if you don’t have a lot of resources right now, you probably have some time. You can use that time to volunteer, mentor, or simply be there for someone in need. Time is a gift you can offer, and it often pays you back in ways you never imagined.

Stephen R. Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing what truly matters through his principle of “putting first things first.” It’s not just about being efficient with your time but being effective by focusing on activities that align with your values and long-term goals. When you invest your time with intention, you set yourself up to make a lasting impact.

2. Talent: Unlocking Your True Potential

We all have unique gifts, but are you truly tapping into yours? Zig Ziglar put it perfectly:

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Your talents and passions are what make you stand out, but recognizing them is only the first step.

What really fires you up?

What are you naturally good at?

Those talents are not just meant for your personal gain—they’re meant to serve others.

Albert Einstein said it well:

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

Don’t let your gifts sit on the sidelines—bring them to life and use them to make a difference.

Tom Rath’s StrengthsFinder 2.0 supports this by showing that you create the most value when you leverage your natural talents. Instead of trying to be good at everything, focus on identifying and sharpening the unique gifts that set you apart. When you tap into your strengths, you not only find more fulfillment but also maximize the positive impact you can make in the lives of others.

3. Resources: Leveraging What You’ve Built

If you’ve been intentional with your time and talents, chances are you’ve started to accumulate resources—whether financial, relational, or social capital.

Warren Buffett’s wisdom hits home here:

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

The question now is, what are you doing with what you’ve built?

If you’ve done well financially, great! But how can you use that money or influence to create an even bigger impact?

Whether it’s investing in your community, mentoring others, or connecting people in meaningful ways, your resources can be a powerful force for good if you put them to work with purpose.

The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann captures this perfectly. The core message is that the more you give, the more you receive. By using your resources—whether financial, relational, or social capital—to help others, you create a ripple effect of positivity. True success is measured by the value you bring to others, not just by what you accumulate.

The Challenge: Make It Count

Where are you today?

Maybe you have time but not a lot of resources—so how are you using that time? Are you spending it on activities that don’t align with your values, or are you channeling it into something that makes a difference?

Check your screen time, your daily habits—how can you better use that time?

And what about your talents—are they collecting dust, or are you actively using them to serve others?

If you’ve built up resources, ask yourself: How can you leverage them to multiply your impact?

Robin Sharma nailed it when he said:

“The purpose of life is not just to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

It’s easy to focus on our own success, but true fulfillment comes when we invest in others and use what we have to lift them up.

Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life reminds us that living with purpose means dedicating yourself to something greater than yourself. When you align your talents, time, and resources with a deeper mission, you unlock the ability to serve others and leave a legacy that truly matters. Purpose fuels impact, and impact fuels fulfillment.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Take a look at the phase of life you’re in and reflect on how you’re using your time, talents, and resources.

Are there areas you’ve neglected?

Are there opportunities you haven’t fully tapped into?

Excellence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional and purposeful with what you have.

The choice is yours—choose to make an impact.

Choose often.

Let's go!

Committed to You, Committed to Excellence,

Your friend,

Ryan DuBois