My friend Tom Beaty loved to tell stories.

One story was set in a small European farming village. Before gas-powered transportation came along, farmers would drive their hogs to the market on foot each fall. This was quite a time-consuming task. The farmer would try to guide the hog(s) by tapping them on their sides with a staff. Sometimes they would use herding dogs to help along the way. This would often take a full day, leaving before daylight and returning after dark.

The gas-powered engine and trucks made the round trip so much faster and easier. That is, except for one farmer who refused to adopt the new process and continued the time-consuming walk to town.

Everyone tried to convince him of all the time and trouble he could save. He was steadfast in his refusal to change. “After all,” he said, “what’s time to a pig?”

Now, let me first say, in no way am I calling any of us pigs, hogs, swine or anything porcine. I do, however, see that it’s easy to fall into the trap of the farmer, where we fail to appreciate and value time, using it to our best purpose. 

For many folks, the beginning of a new year is a time to reflect on the year past and to set goals or resolutions for the coming year. Those who will accomplish the most have a keen sense of the value and the fleeting nature of time.

We’ll get busy in the new year. Life will happen as it always does. There will be interruptions, detours, distractions and one will lead to another. Before we realize it, there will be spring, summer and fall. The holidays will be here again, and then another new year. Unless we are deliberate, purposeful and focused, time will drift by—and our unrealized goals with it.

My father-in-law Dr. Jack Zorn accomplished more than anyone imagined he would. One reason was his favorite three-letter word, NOW! He was always intent on achieving the lofty goals he set each year.

When Bill Haslam was governor of Tennessee, his chief of staff took a countdown clock to every cabinet meeting to remind everyone that they had the limited time of a term in office to accomplish their goals and objectives.

The point is, great leaders value time and act on important work with some sense of urgency.

In 2026, let us pledge to make the best use of our time as we L.E.A.D.!