Time as a Proper Investment
Written by Edir Terry, MMA & Fitness Coach
Edir Terry, Pro MMA fighter, top Miami coach, and founder of Belico MMA & Fitness, blends martial arts, fitness, and spirituality to inspire transformation. Entrepreneur, future author of OCTF, and documentary creator, Edir empowers others to unlock their best selves through discipline, resilience, and growth.
Ask yourself this: What does time truly mean to you? Is it money? Is it growth? Is it regret, love, or discipline? Time is the one thing we all share equally. Rich or poor, young or old, we all get 24 hours in a day. But what separates leaders from followers, winners from quitters, is how we choose to invest it. You can always make more money, buy another car, or earn another degree. But once time is gone, it’s gone forever.
A personal reflection
When I was younger, I didn’t care much about time. I was just going with the flow, no purpose, no strategy, no urgency. Days would pass like smoke in the air. I was living, but not truly investing in my life.
But then came real adversity.
Facing serious health battles, losing things I loved, and being forced to slow down, it woke me up. Suddenly, every second mattered. My entire mindset shifted. I began protecting my time like it was gold.
Now, here’s how I live
I invest in martial arts and fitness, not just training, but teaching, evolving, and helping others grow.
I run my business, an ecommerce, art design, and work as a cutman, commentator, and judge, and continue to build my future through investments.
I give back as a philanthropist, lifting up others with the same values that rebuilt me.
I spend time learning, reading, listening to podcasts, and studying human behavior.
I make room for peace, movies, the beach, bike rides, wine with friends, or just breathing in silence.
One lesson that stuck with me hard
Time is an investment, just like money. One of my business mentors once compared time to the S&P 500. Over the last 10 years, the S&P 500 has returned an average of 12.21% annually. Think about your relationships like investments. Do the people around you bring you a return? Physically, mentally, spiritually?
That hit me deep. Today, I only let people into my circle who are:
Wiser than me
More experienced
Loyal and respectful
Positive and faith-driven
Eager to grow
I don’t sit at tables that don’t challenge me.
If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.
Leadership through time
Leadership doesn’t come from a title, it comes from how you spend your time.
Do you want to be a leader in your home? Your career? Your community?
Then own your 24 hours.
Leaders don’t wait. They don’t scroll their days away. They don’t complain, hoping life gets better.
They take action. They choose their time like they choose their battles with precision.
Step by step: How to master your time
1. Audit your day
Write down how you spend each hour. Be real with yourself.
2. Identify your priorities
What matters most: your health, family, goals, and growth? List them clearly.
3. Cut the noise
Remove the time-wasters: negative people, mindless scrolling, bad habits.
4. Create a power routine
Design a daily plan that supports your body, mind, and spirit.
5. Protect your time like gold
Learn to say “no.” Create boundaries. Only give time to what aligns with your mission.
6. Reflect weekly
Ask: Did I grow this week? Did I invest in what truly matters?
Time is the ultimate currency
I’ve worked with fighters, entrepreneurs, and leaders across industries. And there’s one thing they all have in common.
They protect their time like their life depends on it, because it does.
They don’t waste hours on meaningless conversations or draining relationships. They don’t say yes to everything. They’re selective. Intentional. Focused.
I do the same now. And I ask myself this before I say yes to anything:
“Will this bring me closer to the person I’m becoming?”
If the answer is no, I walk away.
How are you spending your 24?
You and I have the same 24 hours. So ask yourself:
Are you investing your time in what you love?
Are you surrounding yourself with people who challenge and grow you?
Are you building the habits that will bring you closer to your dream life?
Or are you just... letting it slip away?
This is your wake-up call.
Take control. Be intentional. Be powerful. Be unshakable.
Final words from my heart
For the past 2 years, I’ve been writing a book called (OTTF). It’s more than just a self-help book, it’s a warrior’s story.
I dive into my pain, healing, life, discipline, and the spiritual lessons I had to learn through adversity. I may be a new author, but I’m not new to the fight of life.
This book is for:
The ones who feel lost
The ones who want to level up
The ones who know there’s more to life, but need direction
If this chapter gave you something, motivation, perspective, a spark, then my mission is working.
Your time is now. Own it. Live it. Invest it.
Read more from Edir Terry
Edir Terry, MMA & Fitness Coach
Edir Terry is a dedicated martial artist and fitness professional with a passion for transforming lives. Using the philosophy of mind, body, and spirit rooted in martial arts, Edir has trained over 300+ amateur and professional fighters and impacted 5,000+ individuals, helping them achieve personal goals in school, work, and life. His mission, "Make the best version of yourself," drives his work, bringing joy and fulfillment as he inspires success and growth. Edir's approach empowers students to unlock their full potential and embrace lifelong change.
