Where’s Your Time Really Going?

I’ve always been curious about where my time goes.

Back in 2017, I started using a physical daily journal — and it was eye-opening. Tracking my time like that helped me in so many areas of life, from trading to personal development. I still use that paper journal, but over the years, I’ve added digital tools to the mix.

Now I use a more robust time-tracking system. And I’ve seen that when you measure your time, it reveals things you didn’t expect.

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What I Thought I Knew About My TV Time

This year — 2025 — I decided to go a layer deeper.

On top of tracking my trading time, my business time, my workouts, my social activities… I started tracking how much television I watched.

Because I was convinced — like, really convinced — that I watched way less television than the average American.

Why?

Well, I don’t turn on the TV during the day unless I’m cooking or eating. And in the evenings, it’s usually just a n episode or two of a streaming show with my husband. Maybe a movie here or there on a weekend.

So I figured, I’m not watching THAT much TV, it’s harmless.

But then I ran the numbers.

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The Truth in the Tally

From January 1 to June 30, 2025 — just the first half of the year — I watched 379 hours of television.

Let me say that again: 379 hours.

When I saw that number, my stomach sank.

I hadn’t done the math before that moment. But if you divide it out, it comes to about 2 hours per day.

The good news? Based on a quick Google search, the average American watches 2 hours and 48 minutes of TV per day.

So I fell under the average like I suspected. But still – 2 HOURS –  when you stack it up across six months, it becomes a big chunk of time.

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It’s Not Good or Bad — But It Is Information

Now let me be clear — this isn’t about demonizing TV. I don’t think TV is inherently bad.

But if I ever find myself saying, “I don’t have time for X”… I now have evidence to the contrary.

Because in the first half of this year, I spent nearly 380 hours watching television.

That’s 380 hours I could reallocate if something else becomes a priority.

So I asked myself: Why am I watching this much? When am I doing it?

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A Small Habit Shift That Changed the Game

I realized my TV time usually started around 9 p.m. Central and ran through 11 p.m., then I’d go straight to bed.

So I decided to experiment.

What if I went to bed earlier, say 10pm?

At first, it felt like a big change. But soon my body adjusted.

Now, I’m naturally winding down earlier. I might watch one show episode, or even just part of one, and I’m out. Sometimes I fall asleep right on the couch and just shift to bed as soon as I realize — and I’m totally okay with that.

I don’t even want to stay up and watch more TV.

I’m not missing anything. And the extra morning time? That’s where the value really shows up…

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The Real Lesson Here

The reason I’m sharing this isn’t because you have a TV problem.

It’s not even that I really do.

It’s just this: We all have the same 24 hours.

You. Me. The most accomplished person you know. The most underwhelming one, too.

If there’s something in your trading — or in your life — that feels stuck, and your first thought is “I just don’t have the time”…

Maybe you do.

You just need to look at where it’s going first.

Because it’s not about having time. It’s about making time for what’s important to you.

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What I’m Doing With That Time Now

For me, the shift is simple but meaningful.

I’m choosing to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. I’m choosing to spend that morning time on things that genuinely move me forward:

• Movement / exercise
  
• Reading and other personal development
  
• My own ongoing trading education (newsflash: it never really stops!)
  

All things that create momentum. All things I’d usually say I want more time for.

And the best part? My life isn’t worse off with less TV. It might actually be better.

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If You Start Paying Attention…

You might be surprised by what you find.

None of us have time management “figured out.” Not perfectly. We’re all just tinkering, adjusting, learning.

But if you start paying attention — really paying attention — to how your time gets spent…

You’ll start to see patterns. And maybe you’ll find the time for the thing that’s been calling to you!

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Want Me to Share My Exact Tools?

If this resonates with you — if you’re curious about the daily journaling and time-tracking tools I’ve been using — let me know.

These aren’t things I learned from another trader. I figured them out through trial and error. But I have seen the positive effects on my trading and my life.

So if that’s something you’d like me to teach more about, drop a comment below. That way I know it’s worth putting on my radar. 👇

P.S.
If reclaiming your time is something you actually want to do — not just think about — I built something to help.

It’s called the First 40 Trading Club, and it’s where I walk you through building (and actually testing) a real trading plan — one that fits your time, your style, and your goals.
But here’s the deal:

Doors close tonight — Thursday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. ET
…and I don’t know when I’ll reopen them again.

So if you’ve been meaning to check it out, now’s the time:
👉 Join the First 40 Trading Club before midnight »

~Hima