Time is a precious resource that we need to use wisely.
"I don’t have time."
This is a phrase I hear frequently. I even use it occasionally. Not having Time is usually a reason/excuse given for why we can’t do something.
We all have the same 24hrs in a day so why do some seem so productive and others, not so much?
This isn’t about
comparing yourself to someone else but more about looking at the way you are spending your time to achieve the results you want.
If you are spending your time in a manner that has you achieving the results you want --GREAT! If you aren’t, what’s the challenge?
Be honest!
"If you are interested you will do what is convenient.
If you’re committed you will do whatever it takes" ~ John Assaraf
When was the last time you really, really wanted to go somewhere or do something? I mean you really
wanted to but you didn't have time. I bet you found a way to make it happen.
Snagged tickets to a concert performed by a favorite artist on a weeknight
Opportunity to go to Vegas for a workshop/speaker you
wanted to see
Opportunity to take a spa mini-vacation with friends
Meet up with friends who were in town even if you had to complete an assignment for work
These were a few examples of things I didn’t have time for but figured out how to make them happen.
Whatever the ITwas for you, if you really wanted it, you figured it out. Not having the time was not a reason used to thwart the pursuit.
Why is time used as an excuse?
Priorities. But why aren't we making IT a priority?
We don’t want to take full responsibility for not doing what we should be doing
We don’t fully realize the benefits we would receive from the change we fail to make
We don’t have confidence in our ability to make the change
Don’t give time a bad reputation. Don’t use it as an excuse. Be honest with yourself and others.
Admit whatever IT is, it is not a priority and you don’t want to make the adjustments you may need to make, bad enough.
It’s OK.
Adjust your language. Instead of blaming time what about using one of these phrases instead?
"It isn’t of interest to me."
"I don’t value it enough"
"It’s not a priority."
"I am working on other priorities right now."
Try it.
How does the phrase sit with you when you state your reason for not following through or accepting something in this way?
"Attending the concert is not a priority for me right now"
"I can’t start my side hustle because expressing my creativity and passion is not a priority."
"I can’t make that doctor’s appointment because my health is not a priority for me right now."
"I can’t prepare healthier food choices because maintaining my health is not of interest to me right now."
"I can’t go out to dinner with my
spouse/partner/family/friends because maintaining a healthy, quality relationship is not a priority right now."
Adjusting our language to express more accurately what is happening may feel uncomfortable. That is the point says Wall Street Journal writer Laura Vanderkam. "Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don’t like how we’re spending an hour we can choose differently."
We choose what is important to us. We choose how to spend our time.
How and what you spend your time on reflects what you are prioritizing in your life. Be honest and be clear-Time is not the reason. When you decide you are ready and IT becomes a priority, you will figure it out.
"Where there is a will there is a way."
~English proverb
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
~Nancy
"Wish It. Dream it! Do it!
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