What Gandalf Knew About Time (And How It Can Change Your Life)

Time is something we all have, but few of us truly understand its power. I’ve spent years studying productivity, leadership, and personal growth, and one lesson stands above all others: time is more valuable than money. It is the currency we cannot earn back, replace, or renew. In this post (and the Youtube video linked and podcast episode linked here), I’m going to share insights from my experiences, some lessons inspired by storytelling, and practical strategies you can use to transform how you spend your time and achieve your goals.

My Journey With The Lord of the Rings

I first watched The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in a small hotel room in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was eleven years old, staring at a tiny, old television, completely glued to the story of Frodo Baggins. This ordinary hobbit, tasked with the impossible goal of destroying the one ring, immediately captured my imagination. I didn’t yet understand why the story was so impactful, but I knew it mattered.

Years later, I realized that the wisdom woven into the story goes far beyond fantasy. Frodo’s journey, and the guidance of his mentor, Gandalf, holds profound lessons for how we approach time and purpose. As someone who has worked with clients like Mario, who is dedicated to halving the world suicide rate in three years, I see the same stakes, decisions, and urgency reflected in our real-world missions.

The Power of Time: A Lesson From Storytelling

Frodo often wished that his challenges hadn’t come at his time. Gandalf’s response, however, reminds us all: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” This simple idea—that time is not something we passively spend, but something we actively decide—has shaped the way I approach both my personal life and professional goals.

Time is not just a resource; it is a tool. While money can be earned, lost, and regained, time is non-renewable. Once a moment passes, it is gone forever. Understanding this shifts how we make decisions, set priorities, and measure value in our lives. The lesson Gandalf imparts is timeless: how we use our time defines the outcomes we create.

Why Time Is More Valuable Than Money

Many people, myself included in the past, equate time with money. We trade hours for dollars and assume that accumulating wealth will grant us more freedom. But time is exponentially more valuable than money. If you knew your life would end tomorrow, would your bank account matter? Of course not. The money you’ve accumulated would be meaningless, but the time you’ve had and how you spent it would define everything.

This realization has transformed how I structure my days. Every action, every decision, now carries the lens of time. Business owners, creatives, and mission-driven leaders alike can benefit from this perspective. The goal is not just to maximize output, but to align your actions with the outcomes that truly matter, ensuring that every moment contributes meaningfully to your larger vision.

Using Time as a Tool to Achieve Goals

Time becomes exponentially more powerful when framed as a tool rather than a constraint. In the Lord of the Rings, Frodo and the fellowship understand the stakes: the ring must be destroyed, and every action counts toward buying the time necessary to complete the mission. Similarly, in real life, deadlines, ambitious goals, and focused action amplify the power of time.

I’ve applied this principle in my work with clients, like Mario, by creating structured timelines and milestones. The key is to break impossible goals into achievable steps, using time strategically. This isn’t about rushing; it’s about prioritizing what matters most, eliminating distractions, and leveraging every moment toward meaningful progress.

Setting and Achieving Impossible Goals

Setting impossible goals is one of the most transformative practices I’ve discovered. It forces you to rethink limitations and redefine what’s possible. For Mario, his goal of halving the world suicide rate in three years initially seems unachievable. Yet, by committing to this vision, he mobilizes resources, builds partnerships, and takes actions that he wouldn’t otherwise consider.

Impossible goals also clarify the importance of deadlines. Frodo didn’t have ten years to destroy the ring; he had a limited, urgent window. Similarly, giving yourself a concrete timeframe for your goals changes the way you act in the present. A three-year plan creates different choices than a ten-year plan, and breaking that into one-year or ninety-day milestones helps maintain momentum and accountability.

Time in Action: Practical Strategies

To make the most of your time, start by defining your impossible goal. Make it audacious, uncomfortable, and life-changing. Next, assign a timeline—three years or less is ideal for creating urgency. From there, map out smaller milestones, like annual or quarterly objectives. These steps guide your daily actions, ensuring you focus on high-leverage activities that move you closer to your vision.

I also encourage building a support system—your fellowship. Just as Frodo had Gandalf, Sam, and others, having mentors, collaborators, and partners amplifies your effectiveness. Surround yourself with people who understand the stakes, contribute to your progress, and help “buy you time” through their support, insight, or resources.

Reflection and Takeaways

Time is more than hours and minutes—it is the ultimate measure of value in our lives. By treating time as a tool, committing to impossible goals, and leveraging deadlines strategically, you can create profound results. The lessons from storytelling, from Frodo and Gandalf, translate directly into practical strategies for personal growth, business success, and social impact.

Every day offers a decision: how will you spend the time that is given to you? Will you choose comfort and delay, or will you embrace urgency and purpose? The answer defines the trajectory of your life, the scale of your impact, and the legacy you leave behind.