The time-energy-money triangle is a simple way of prioritizing your aspirations and testing your level of commitment. This triangle is a symbol of the three core resources you have (time, energy, money), and an invitation to reflect on how important your goals truly are to you.

Are you ready to commit, or are you merely “interested”?

Simply being interested is not enough. It doesn’t tap into the deep resources that you have inside yourself. Nobody has ever achieved anything great just by being interested. 

If you are not spending some of your time, money, and energy on it, it’s not real. It shows that it’s not that important for you.

So how do you make your aspiration real?

Prioritize with your time by making the goal-related activity part of your daily routine. Add it to your calendar, so nothing else is booked in its place. Or add an alarm on your phone to remind you to do that activity. In a certain segment of your day, your goal should be your number one priority, and you should protect this time with all your might. 

Prioritize with your money by investing in whatever tools, classes, and mentors you need to help you in that area of your life. With the right tools and guidance, you can grow more quickly and save yourself frustration. 

Prioritize with your energy by giving your aspiration your attention. Think about it often, plan for it, remember it, and follow through. Create a distraction-free environment where you can focus on your aspiration or goal. For example, if writing a book is a goal, you could put your phone on airplane mode for two hours a day and just write.

If you find you are unwilling to invest any of these resources, then it’s time to ask: “Do I really want this? Is this aspiration important for me?”

Now, let’s get pragmatic. Most of us live complex lives, with other obligations competing for these three scarce resources. There is no need to be extreme, at least not in the beginning. Just make sure that you are dedicating some of your time, money, and energy to your aspiration—according to your capacity in this phase of your life. 

• How will you invest time for your goals? Decide right now, and create a recurring calendar event or an alarm on your phone. Don’t postpone this simple step.
• How will you invest money for your goals? Consider if there are any products, courses, mentors, tools or services that could accelerate your progress.
• How will you invest energy on your goals? Create a distraction-free environment for this activity, and establish a reminder to help keep your aspiration top of mind.

For reminders, there are many options. Some people have a meaningful image or quote that that they put on a wall or use as a background image on their phone or computer. Others have an object that’s always with them. Select whatever reminds you of your aspiration, and let it inspire you!

Living a life of more purpose and fulfillment requires that you not only know your aspirations, but also that you are committed to them.

This article is a summary of key ideas taken from Chapter 10 of Mindful Self-Discipline. To dive deeper, get the book or audiobook.