“I don’t have enough time.”
It’s one of the most common phrases everyone is guilty of saying. It’s said when a practice is missed, when studying is put off, or when we talk about things we “really want to do” someday – learning an instrument, consistently going to the gym, starting a project – but never actually following through with them.
We can all admit that the issue of time shortage feels real. Everyday is packed with school, homework, sports, activities, family responsibilities and social outings. By the time we finally get a moment to ourselves, we are exhausted.
Days go by fast. Our timeframe to complete things we’ve always wanted to do gets shorter. But here’s the question we don’t often ask ourselves – is it really a lack of time, or is it a matter of how we choose to spend it?
Everyone gets the same 24 hours per day. But the way we prioritize our time is different.
When something is urgent or exciting enough, suddenly, a lack of time is no longer an issue. Whether it’s staying up late to meet last minute deadlines, dropping everything to hang out with friends, or picking up a shift at work, time doesn’t just magically appear. We make time for certain things based on what matters to us at the moment.
There is a gap between having goals and wanting something and actually doing it. The idea of being in shape, getting good grades, or learning a new skill will always be appealing. But the effort, practice, and time that these things require is often not, because it’s harder.
Sometimes, saying “I don’t have time” is easier than admitting we are tired, unmotivated or lazy.
Being productive and being busy also have their key differences. It is easy to spend hours on homework and still feel unproductive when switching between studying and checking texts. The small distractions add up. A 10 minute phone break here, a 15 minute nap there, and by the end of the night, we wonder where all the time we “didn’t have” went.
Rest is important. Relaxation is key to not losing our minds with all the stress we deal with each day. But it’s time we start being honest with ourselves. If we truly have our heart set on achieving something, why aren’t we acting on it?
Instead of asking if we have time, maybe the better question is, “is this important enough to make time for?”
Time moves fast. Opportunities aren’t always there. The biggest regret isn’t typically trying and failing – it’s not trying at all.
