A salesman passed a boy on the sidewalk who was trying to sell his puppy. A sign around the dog’s neck read “For Sale $2,000.” Realizing he had overpriced the animal, the salesman explained he might have to lower his price to make a sale. The boy thanked him for his advice but didn’t change his sign. Next day the salesman passed the boy again and noticed a sold sign where the pup had been. “Looks like you took my advice.” He said. “Oh no” the boy replied, “I just traded him for two $1,000 cats.”
The boy understood the principle of bartering which is a good time management skill. If you have an area of specialization, why not trade your skills for someone else’s time. If you play the piano, offer to teach a young person to play in exchange for some help around your house or mowing your yard. An hour teaching for two hours of yard work would be good trade and would help you redeem the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
