Time Poverty vs. Time Rich: Are You Spending or Investing Your Time?

AUTHOR

ALTHEA NGUYEN

PUBLISHED

22 MAY 2025

8 MIN READ

Introduction

Ever feel like you’re constantly running on empty, always rushing, and never quite catching up? You’re not alone. In our whirlwind modern world, many of us are perpetually busy, yet that nagging feeling of unfulfillment just won’t go away. We’re juggling deadlines, spinning plates of responsibility, and often find ourselves wishing for just a few more hours in the day. But what if the real problem isn’t the clock, but how we actually see and use the time we have?

Enter Ashley Whillans, a brilliant professor from Harvard Business School. In her eye-opening book, Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life, she introduces us to two powerful ideas: “time poverty” and “time affluence.” Understanding these isn’t just academic; it could be the secret sauce to totally transforming your relationship with time and, in turn, boosting your overall happiness.

What is Time Poverty?

Imagine feeling perpetually underwater, constantly swamped with tasks and a looming sense that there just isn’t enough time to do it all. That’s time poverty in a nutshell. It’s a psychological state where time feels incredibly scarce, leading to a constant hum of stress and anxiety, and a feeling like you’ve lost control of your own life.

Whillans’ research paints a clear picture: time poverty is incredibly common, and it hits us hard. It impacts our health, happiness, and even how productive we are. So, what feeds this monster?

Piling It On: We say “yes” to too many things, taking on more than we can realistically handle.
The Tech Trap: Our always-on world means work emails pop up during family dinner, blurring the lines between our professional and personal lives.
The “Busy is Best” Myth: Society often tells us that being constantly swamped is a sign of success, pushing us to overcommit.

It’s a vicious cycle: the more rushed we feel, the less satisfied we become, and the more stressed we get.

What is Time Rich?

Now, flip that script. Time affluence is that wonderful feeling of having plenty of time to truly engage in activities that light you up. It’s not about having endless free hours (who has those?!), but about genuinely feeling in control of your time. It’s knowing you can choose how you spend it in ways that genuinely align with your deepest values and desires.

Whillans strongly links time affluence to greater happiness, better health, and stronger relationships. Think about it: when you prioritize time over just chasing more money, and make deliberate choices about your schedule, you start to cultivate a feeling of abundance and deep fulfillment.

The Big Decision: Time vs. Money

One of the core messages in Time Smart is the age-old dilemma: time or money? So many of us are programmed to chase more money, often sacrificing our precious time along the way. But Whillans’ research offers a compelling counterpoint: valuing your time more than just accumulating wealth actually leads to greater happiness.

Here’s a real-world example: people who choose a shorter commute, even if it means a slightly lower salary, often report higher life satisfaction. Or, consider spending a little money to outsource those dreaded chores (like cleaning or yard work) – it can free up hours for activities that truly bring you joy, boosting your overall well-being.

Simple Steps to Become More "Time Rich"

Shifting from feeling “time poor” to “time rich” isn’t about some magic wand; it requires conscious effort and a few smart changes to how you think and act. Here are some of Whillans’ practical strategies:

1. Prioritize Activities That Align with Your Values

What truly matters to you? Your family? A passion project? Personal growth? Figure out your core values, then intentionally carve out time for them. This way, your time investment actually pays off in meaningful ways.

2. Set Boundaries with Technology

Limit distractions by setting specific times to check emails or social media. This helps prevent the fragmentation of time and allows for deeper engagement in tasks.

3. Outsource or Delegate Tasks

If a task eats up your time but doesn’t add real value or joy to your life (hello, laundry mountain!), consider getting help. Hiring someone for cleaning or administrative tasks can liberate you for activities you truly love.

4. Schedule Leisure Time

Just as you schedule meetings or appointments, schedule time for relaxation and activities you enjoy. This ensures that leisure becomes a non-negotiable part of your routine.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Being present in the moment can enhance your perception of time, making it feel more abundant. Mindfulness practices can help reduce stress and increase satisfaction with how you spend your time.

Wrapping it up...

Time is our most precious, non-renewable resource. How we choose to spend it fundamentally shapes our entire lives. By shifting our focus from simply accumulating wealth to actively investing in our time, we can genuinely move from that stressed-out state of time poverty to a fulfilling one of time affluence. This transformation is all about making intentional choices, setting healthy boundaries, and ensuring our time aligns with what we truly value.

Being “time affluent” doesn’t necessarily mean working less; it often means working smarter and living with far more intention. As Ashley Whillans so perfectly puts it, “Time is the most valuable resource we have, and we should spend it wisely.”

References

Whillans, A. V. (2020). Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life. Harvard Business Review Press.
“It’s Time You Got Time Smart: A Q&A with Ashley Whillans.” Behavioral Scientist. Link
“Time Smart Summary of Key Ideas and Review.” Blinkist. Link
“Avoid Being Money-Rich and Time-Poor: Summary of Ashley Whillans’s ‘Time Smart’.” Right Attitudes.