"Life at its longest is short"—for Dr. Robin, these few words hold a profound truth about our time spent on this earth. Life is indeed short, she says, and it's up to each of us to make the most of every minute. Take stock of your life, your work and your relationships—where might you be wasting time?

Dr. Robin says that time spent worrying, nagging or wallowing is an example of wasted time—except when it allows you to create a strategy for a brighter future. "Unless your pain or ache is going to be transformed into some redemptive moment tomorrow or the next day, then you have to start asking about your worrying and about your whining—'What is its purpose?'" she says.

Because life is short, Dr. Robin says we need to seize the moment and make the most of life. Know that there are so many positive things you could be doing with your time, she says. "You could be taking a walk, you could be teaching somebody who's illiterate how to read, you could be laughing, you could be cooking your favorite meal, you could be grateful for your health," Dr. Robin says.