The common lament, ‘I don’t have enough time,’ is often a smokescreen for a more fundamental issue: a lack of clarity and commitment. As a (somewhat) creative individual, I once grappled with this time scarcity mindset. For many years, I juggled multiple projects concurrently, starting many but finishing few. Does this ring a bell for you? The classic, ‘I’ll start a business once I find the time to research,’ can lead to countless unfinished endeavors.
It’s easy to attribute incomplete projects to a shortage of time, especially when it seems like others effortlessly make the most of their days. But how do prolific figures like Tim Cook, Bob Iger and Sheryl Sandberg manage to achieve so much while some of us struggle to kick-start our own initiatives?
This conundrum used to baffle me. I vividly recall, at the age of 14, asserting to my father that I couldn’t possibly get a job due to time constraints (after asking him for something I didn’t have the money for – this stereo). In response, he offered a valuable perspective: it’s not about the availability of time; it’s about our choices.
Every moment I spent watching TV, playing video games or hanging out with friends was a choice not to get a part time job, and also a choice not to get the thing I didn’t have the money for (it was a stereo). The message was clear: if you truly desire something, you’ll find the time to make it happen.
Zig Ziglar wisely remarked, ‘Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four-hour days.‘ We all share the same daily allocation of time; the difference lies in how we channel and prioritise it.
For example, I’ve recently set out to read more. It hasn’t been without challenges; I’m not a rapid reader, and I haven’t designated a specific time for it. There are evenings when I haven’t read a single page by 10 pm. It’s tempting to blame a busy day and exhaustion.
But then, advice echoes in my mind: if reading truly matters, why not invest that extra half-hour? Often, we find ourselves enamored with an idea but fall short on commitment. We procrastinate, attributing it to time constraints.
Stephen R. Covey’s words resonate, ‘The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.‘ I’ve learned that recalibrating my ambitions is necessary when I repeatedly claim to want something without dedicating time to it. Life is replete with diverse interests, a lesson in itself.
In today’s era of perpetual connectivity, social media often breeds a fear of missing out. We aspire to emulate others’ experiences: running marathons, embarking on year-long travels, or relocating to iconic cities. Yet, honest introspection often reveals that our hearts may not be fully in it.
The power lies in unapologetic honesty about our true desires. Through focus, we can unlock more time. As we channel our efforts towards what genuinely matters, time expands, and our capacity for achievement flourishes.
