When you say “I don’t have time for that,” what are you really saying? I suppose it could literally be true. You can’t stop for coffee because you’re racing to catch a train. You have to skip your workout because you’re working late on a project due tomorrow. You don’t have time to write your book because you are too tired at the end of each day.
In all these cases the statement is true. You have run out of time in that moment. The real question is what led up to that moment of truth? It was usually a series of choices made by you, consciously or subconsciously, that caused you to use up your time on other things. Were those other things equally important?
When I “suddenly” find myself out of time and unable to do something I really wanted to do, it’s NOT due to outside circumstances. It is due to how I processed what was in front of me all day long and how I chose to react. It is in those hundred little choices I make throughout the day that determines happiness or frustration; greatness or mediocrity.
For example, I’d say one hour of laughter watching TV with your kids is a great use of time. One hour of watching Jersey Shore alone with a bag of Cheetos in your lap may set you back a couple of rungs on the evolutionary ladder.
Taking on every little task your co-workers ask of you may seem generous and makes you a team player, but is it eating up the time you should be spending on a higher priority project?
Saving your “me” time for the end of each day is a choice, not a requirement. Getting up an hour BEFORE the official day starts throwing things at you may be a much better strategy and get you in the right frame of mind for taking on the rest of the world.
The next time you catch yourself saying “I don’t have time for that,” swap out that phrase with “That’s not important to me.” In some cases you’ll find it is not really important – mission accomplished. However, if you keep delaying something that is truly important, it’s not a matter of time… it’s a matter of choice.
My wife & I have been talking about this very subject recently. We recently started getting up a little earlier to focus on little projects that have fallen by the wayside. We found that it doesn’t really take more time, it’s making the effort to focus on things that matter.
In fact whenever we focus on things that matter to us, we seem to get those little projects done even faster than expected.
Whenever I catch myself saying I don’t have the time, I have to evaluate how much I care about it.
Thanks David
Good point Wes. I think the trick is not to “get all the little stuff done and out of the way first.” Do the important stuff first while you have the energy for it!
I didn’t have time to read this today…but I’m sure glad I made the choice to do so!
Another good one Mr. Goad! Couldn’t agree with you more!
Now I’m on a streak! Off to go make more good choices today! Thanks!
You rock, Bo!! Pass it on 🙂
The Guess Who. I am very challenged by this article. I find I am interested in pursuing a large number of avenues and projects. I really believe there isn’t enough time for it all. I did not always think this way. At a certain point I began to think Everything Was Possible. And that is where perhaps I began to run into trouble. Tennis, Piano, Painting, Writing, Family, Cycling, Skiing, hiking, Volunteer work with children, Reading. My list goes on and on seemingly. Thanks for making me take the “time” to think and perhaps evaluate further. I’m sure I’m probably missing the point of this whole thing!! haha
This was a poignant piece that helped me to put into perspective several things that I have been putting off vs. what I usually do. Thanks for a great blog!
Wow, that is soooo true. I like to fool myself by saying I will check in on Facebook, or watch a little TV while I eat. The reality always is that my “check in” lasts 30 minutes and my TV eating goes beyond the food on my plate.
It is those little things that jam me later on.
Also, if you say to yourself “It’s not important to me right now” – you might actually realize that it is (based on how crappy you feel when you say that) and choose to make more conscius choices to allow you to have the time to do what is important.
Kinyofu Empowers
Yep, I couldn’t agree more David. It’s all about priorities. The time is always there, no matter what. And it’s always going to be occupied doing something, no matter what. Choose your priorities and how you want to use that time.