Spiritual Bookshelf Episode 3 : How Can You Make the Most of Your Life?

心靈書架 Spiritual Bookshelf

How Can You Make the Most of Your Life?

Hi there! How are you doing today?

Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on life after hearing about the passing of several well-known figures. It’s a sober reminder that life has a definitive endpoint for all of us. Imagine running a race only to discover halfway through that you’ve been on the wrong track—or even worse, the race ends just as you’re getting into your stride.

To avoid those kinds of regrets, it’s so important to think about how we use our time and energy. How can we live in a way that leaves us feeling fulfilled, joyful, and free from regret when we finally reach life’s finish line?

One person who often reflected on this was Steve Jobs. Every morning, he’d ask himself a profound question:“If today were the last day of my life, would I still want to do what I’m about to do today?”That daily question gave him clarity and focus, helping him use each day wisely.

As we grow older, many of us feel the pressure of juggling multiple responsibilities. Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? You have so much you want to do, but never enough time to do it all. I get it. I’m Philip, and if you’ve ever felt this way, today’s episode might offer some tools to help you navigate life’s race with purpose.

In this episode, I’ll share some reflections from a fascinating book I picked up during a recent trip to Japan. The book’s Japanese title is 「時間術のベストセラー100冊」のポイントを１冊にまとめてみた, which I’ve translated as “The Summary of 100 Best Time Management Books.”

Here’s a little backstory: during our trip, the first two days were rainy, and I was disappointed because we couldn’t see Mt. Fuji at all. But on the third morning, the skies cleared, and there it was—majestic and towering right outside our window. That moment taught me an important lesson: Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there. And often, the things you can’t see—like time, opportunities, and your priorities—are the ones that matter most.

My reflections from this book are”

1.Face the Facts of Life: Life is short, and there are three undeniable truths:

Everyone will eventually pass away. We only get one shot at life. No one knows when their time will come.

These truths may feel heavy, but they’re also motivating. They push us to live with intention.

2.Create a Bucket List:The author suggests creating a bucket list of things you want to do in your lifetime. The key? Make it as specific as possible. Don’t just say, “I want to learn Japanese.” Instead, say, “I want to travel to Japan and have a conversation with a local in Japanese.”

Here are the steps to building your bucket list:Write down everything you want to do, big or small. Don’t worry about whether it seems possible right now.

Set a deadline for each goal.

Update your list regularly—add new goals, remove ones you’ve achieved, or adjust as your priorities change.

To make this more actionable, I loved the suggestion from Bill Perkins in his book Die with Zero. He recommends dividing your life into five-year blocks, starting from your current age. For example, if you’re 25, your blocks might be 25–29, 30–34, and so on, until you reach 80, which is the average life expectancy. Assign your bucket list items to specific blocks. This approach helps you focus on what’s most important in each season of life.

What are the advantages of doing this? I’d also like to share a personal experience with you.

When I first arrived in the United States to study, I spent a few days before Christmas in the library. Christmas is a big holiday for Americans, so everyone goes home to be with their families. The library was completely empty. Outside, I saw that it was cold, but every house had lots of bright Christmas lights and Christmas trees, making it look warm and cozy.

In that quiet library, I found a very special boo