I don't have time...
I recently posted this quote on my Facebook page:
“To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’”
— Lao Tzu
I’m a fan of conscious communication, especially that which we say to ourselves. Oftentimes it is our limited or negative thinking patterns that can cause us to stay stuck.
For instance, while it has taken some practice, I’ve learned to catch myself when phrases like this come up:
My plate is full.
I’m so busy.
I don’t have time.
I have to…
When I say these things, it almost feels like I don’t have a choice, when ultimately I’m the one putting those things on my plate, and I’m the one who can say “yes” or “no” as decisions come up.
It’s all about priorities. The truth is that we often make time for those things we really want to do.
My ears perk up when clients tell me they don’t have time to go to the doctor, or to eat healthy, or for self-care or downtime.
What are you priorities? Are you putting your health or your own needs on the back burner?
While yes, of course I realize everyone has responsibilities, not taking time out for yourself can have a major ripple effect. Putting your health at risk or feeling guilty does not help anybody.
I also hear you as your job is demanding, as is your family life and your other obligations. At the same time, there are oftentimes things we can do to take responsibility for our own life, even if it means making a small change or two.
It’s easy to blame stress on other things and the truth is ultimately, we’re the ones in charge of our own lives and we make choices every single day.
It’s helpful to be conscious of the language that you use and what you focus on to start. Plus, if we’re constantly saying that there’s limited time or there’s not enough time, that sets the tone and will keep showing up for us in our lives, just adding more stress from our thinking.
I also know the drill of beating ourselves up at the end of the day for what we didn’t get done, despite being incredibly busy and going nonstop. So you actually can retrain your brain and start focusing on those things that you DID get done, and those things that went WELL each day.
You’ll want to get to the point where you feel empowered and not helpless.
I encourage you to think about what it is that exhausts you in your life right now. It’s oftentimes what you think you should do or what someone else says you should do or what society says you should do. It is those items on our plate that feel really heavy.
Thinking about what you don’t want and what exhausts you can also help solidify what it is that you do want. What do you want your life to look like? So again, it’s about making a conscious effort.
Reflection is key as is getting to the root cause of things.
If this is a new way of thinking, you can challenge yourself. Your ego will do its best to rationalize your choices about time, so it takes some practice to become mindful and discern what is your truth.
You can create your schedule and life in a way that does not feel constricting or heavy.
Going nonstop can be a recipe for burnout. What is one small change that you will commit to making today?
