Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
An unflinching exploration of the currencies that shape a man’s life — and how misusing them turns comfort into quiet self-destruction.
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[The following essay is excerpted from Be a Good Man, Not a Nice Guy by Kelvin Davis, “Three Currencies of Life: Time, Money, and Health,” published by Turner Publishing Company, LLC.]
There are three currencies of life: time, money and health. As we go through life, we are constantly juggling work, relationships, and personal endeavors along with managing our time, money, and health. These three currencies of life — time, money, and health — hold immense value and play key roles in shaping us into better individuals.
T I M E
Time is something that is limited for all of us. No matter how rich or poor we are, time is one of the only equalizers.
When our time runs out, it’s gone, and we can never buy time back no matter how much money we have. However, it is what we do with the time we have that sets us apart from one another. Therefore, managing our time is of utmost importance. As the saying goes, “time is money.” We should use our time wisely and invest it in things that matter to us. This not only helps us achieve our goals but also gives us a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Nice guys have poor time management skills and will poorly utilize their time, using it to satisfy their vices rather than improve themselves. A good man will see time as a way to make it work for him.
Nice guys count time; good men make time count.
What I do with my time now as a good man compared to what I did with it as a nice guy is truly a night-and-day difference. Idle time, if not used correctly, can negatively affect the production of your day. I now like to use my time to dedicate myself to things that enhance me as a man.
I started working out more and set goals on the bike rides I would do. I started by setting a goal of five miles; eventually I got to twenty miles. Using my time to hit tangible targets gave me a sense of pride. It also helped me maintain discipline in my life. If I said to myself that I was going to get up at seven in the morning to ride my bike for ten miles, then I was going to do it. The import-ant thing is to keep the promises you make to yourself.
When I was a nice guy, I used my time to fulfill vices that had nothing to do with me becoming a better man. Playing video games all day, eating unhealthily, not being active, and watching porn — that is a recipe for disaster.
Even typing it out right now makes me cringe. How was I ever going to become the man I am today if I was still using my time in that manner? The answer is, I wouldn’t have become him, and I wouldn’t be giving you advice right now. I would be stuck until I hit rock bottom, and let me tell you something: When you hit, you hit hard. Consider this an ultimatum:
Change now for the better or continue down the path of destruction.
We know time is something we all have, and it is something we can never get back once lost. Those seconds, minutes, and hours tick away without any pause or rewind button. This is why it is crucial to understand the importance of time and to use it effectively. Being a good man also means being punctual and respecting other people’s time. It shows our commitment and responsibility toward our work, relationships, and events we attend. Nice guys tend to have difficulty with punctuality and respecting others’ time. They often give off entitled main character energy when they finally do deign to show up somewhere. There’s a common saying: “We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day.” It’s true, and it is up to us to make the most out of it. We can do this by prioritizing our tasks and avoiding procrastination; we can utilize our time effectively and achieve success in all aspects of our life.
When we think of things that cripple us mentally, it’s usually during a state where we aren’t being productive. When we are productive, our mind is focused on the task, and no matter how stressful the task is, our mind is help-ing us power through it to achieve the goal. When we are alone and not being productive, intrusive thoughts come into our head, driving us to worry about things that hav-en’t even happened or possibly will never happen.
Good time management is a major factor in achieving success. Most good men have great time management skills. Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “timing is everything.” This holds true in many aspects of life. Whether it is in our career opportunities, relationships, or personal growth, timing plays an important role in determining our success. By using our time effectively and seizing opportunities when they present themselves, we increase our chances of achieving our goals and reaching our full potential. That’s why you have to stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready. But also, don’t get discouraged by things not happening when you think they are supposed to. Yes, time is everything, but more importantly, God’s timing is everything. Have patience with your time and what you do with it. Some things take longer than others. Good men are patient and trust the process.
Our time is a precious and limited resource that should not be taken for granted. It’s never too late to start living the life you want. Start by setting goals for yourself, big or small, and work toward them every day. Whether it’s learning a new skill, traveling to a new place, or sim-ply taking time to do something you enjoy, make sure you are actively living in the present moment. I can’t stress enough the importance of using our time wisely as good men by prioritizing tasks, investing in ourselves, and seiz-ing opportunities when they arise. By doing so, we can achieve success and fulfill our goals, while living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. So, the next time you find yourself thinking that you have all the time in the world, remember that time is slipping away with every passing second. Be a good man and use your time wisely. As you continue with the time you’re given, make a conscious ef-fort to create a purpose out of your time. We often get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to truly live in the moment.
M O N E Y
Another life currency is money, which some consider the most valuable currency in today’s world. It is crucial to manage our finances wisely to ensure a secure future for ourselves and our loved ones. Just as we budget our time, we must also budget our money. This means being mindful of our expenses and saving for emergency situa-tions. Money management also involves having financial goals and working toward them consistently. Whether it is planning for retirement, paying off debt, or investing for long-term stability, responsible money management can help us achieve financial independence and security. Moreover, being financially responsible also reflects our character and values as individuals.
Money can often be presented as the backbone of our modern society. This is a topic that is regularly discussed and debated politically, religiously, and even personally. It is sometimes seen as a metric of success and fulfillment.
This thinking can create a skewed view of what success means to us as a society. Money can also have the power to corrupt and cause harm.
However, money itself is neutral—it is the way we use it that ultimately determines the level of impact it has.
After all, money is the most replenishable asset we have on earth. Unlike time, we can always find a way to get our money back if we lose it.
Let’s further understand the importance of money and how we can use it for good. First and foremost, money is necessary for our survival and well-being. It provides us with the means to access basic necessities such as food, shelter, and health care. Without money, we would not be able to support ourselves and our loved ones. It also allows us to have a better quality of life by providing us with opportunities for education and personal growth. In essence, money is an essential tool for our survival and progress.
When money is used for selfish or unethical purposes, it can have detrimental effects on individuals and society. The pursuit of wealth at any cost has led to various issues such as income inequality and exploitation of resources. The love of money has also been linked to greed and corruption, causing harm to innocent lives. This highlights the importance of using money responsibly and ethically. As a good man, it’s important to use your money in a reasonable and ethical way. For example, gambling your money away is not smart.
Nice guys have bad money habits; they buy things they don’t need and spend money on things like sex, gambling, alcohol, and drugs. I don’t judge anyone for their vices and what they do, but I can tell you firsthand that quitting drinking has been a cheat code for me. Not only do I save money, but I physically feel a lot better. The thing is, I already have a bubbly and outgoing personality, so I didn’t need to be drunk to become a social being. I have known many men who have not only ruined themselves but also ruined their families because of mismanaging their money.
As a man, you need to be trusted when it comes to spending money.
Your spouse needs to know you can still pay the bills and provide food for the family. Gambling addiction is a real thing; people feel a high from the adrenaline. Losing your money to addictive habits will always cost you a heavy fine. If this is something you struggle with, then you need to seek professional help. It’s okay to get help for things by seeking refuge. Doing this can encourage you to find the discipline to fix any issues that may be holding you back from reaching your full potential. Don’t wait till you lose all your money fulfilling vices and bad habits you’ve adopted over time to realize you need help.
As a good man, it’s also imperative to use money as a force for good in our society. Through charitable donations and philanthropy, individuals and organizations can use their wealth to make a positive difference in the world. From supporting education and healthcare initia-tives to funding research for important causes, money can be used to bring about meaningful change. Similarly, some government programs can utilize your funds for social welfare programs and infrastructure develop-ment, benefiting the entire community. This is why the more money we make, the more taxes we are expected to pay. Money also has the power to create jobs and boost economic growth. When individuals or businesses invest their money in ventures, it leads to more opportunities for employment and contributes to the overall develop-ment of the economy. This results in a cycle of prosperity where the more money circulates, the more it can benefit individuals and our society as a whole.
Money is a very powerful tool that can have both pos-itive and negative impacts on our lives and society. It is important to recognize its value and use it wisely for the greater good. Whether it is through charitable acts, investments in worthy causes, or responsible spending, we have the ability to use money for good. Let us strive to create a world where money is used to uplift and support each other rather than tear us apart.
H E A L T H
Finally, to live a happy and fulfilling life, we must take care of our physical and mental well-being. Our bodies and health are our most precious possessions, and we must prioritize a healthy lifestyle above everything else. We should maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and take care of our mental health by engaging in activities that bring us joy and peace. Being a good man also means taking care of the health of those around us, including our family and friends. We can do this by encouraging our friends and family to get health checkups and be there for them in times when they are ill. We should encourage and support others in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By managing our health, we can improve the quality of our life and be more productive in achieving our goals.
We all know that being healthy is important, but how many of us can say we prioritize it in our own lives? Whether you’re currently a good man or nice guy, in today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle and neglect our health. We do this by always being on the go and then grabbing fast food because it’s the easiest thing to get in the moment. We constantly fill our time chasing the American dream and we can forget to stop, breathe, exercise, and seek refuge for ourselves. However, the truth is that being healthy is a major factor for not just our physical well-being but for our mental and emotional well-being as well. Being a good man means seeking help when you don’t feel well.
This goes for physical and emotional pain. It’s okay to seek therapy if you’re struggling with something internally. Most of us try to be all macho and suffer through the pain. There is no need for that in this time of modern medicine and health care. We can get help to heal just about any sickness nowadays.
One of the most obvious reasons why being healthy is so important is that it helps to reduce the risk of developing illnesses and diseases. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, we can prevent some health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. As I mentioned previously, during my nice guy days, I had developed bad habits. One of them was eating very unhealthily, and I wasn’t active either. Because of this I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2021. Now I am forced to put my health first. If I would have done that in the first place, I wouldn’t be deal-ing with the high risk of heart disease and stroke.
Putting our health first not only saves us from physical pain and discomfort but also saves us from the high medical expenses that come with these conditions. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, more than two-thirds of all deaths worldwide are caused by non-communicable diseases, most of which are preventable by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
As a good man, understand that being healthy also has a significant impact on our mental well-being.
Studies have shown that regular exercise and a balanced diet can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. Nice guys, take notes here: When we take care of our bodies, we feel more energized, confident, and capable of handling life’s challenges. On the other hand, an unhealthy lifestyle can lead to low self-esteem, negative body image, and even mental health disorders.
Another important aspect of taking care of your health is the impact it has on our productivity and quality of life. When we are in good health, we have more energy and stamina to carry out our daily tasks. We can focus and have a clearer mind to make better decisions. This translates into better performance at work or school, leading to a more fulfilling life. When we lead an unhealthy lifestyle, it can make us lethargic, unmotivated, and prone to frequent illnesses, which can hinder our ability to achieve our goals and live our life to its fullest potential.
Apart from the physical and mental benefits, being healthy can also have a positive impact on our relationships, especially our sex lives. There is nothing worse than getting intimate and not being able to perform because you’re out of shape. Good men have good sex, and it’s important to be able to please your partner. When we are in good health, we can be more present and engaged in our relationships. We can participate in activities with our loved ones and create happy memories together. On the contrary, a poor state of health can limit our ability to enjoy quality time with family and friends, causing strain in our relationships and ourselves. Time, money, and health are the three currencies of life that we should value and manage with extreme wis-dom. They are interconnected, and finding a balance among them is essential for a prosperous, wholesome life. Being a good man involves being responsible for man-aging these three aspects effectively. By doing so, we can lead a fulfilling life and inspire others to follow our lead. So let us make the most of our time, money, and health and strive toward becoming the best version of ourselves.
We have the power to shape our own future and create a legacy of being a good man who will be remembered for generations to come.
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