Last week, a friend and I were reflecting on time and I believe this is a great blog topic. Besides not having enough money, other people not really getting us and our health being challenging, lacking time seems to be one of the major reasons why we cannot be happy. Do you agree? Have you felt like there is not enough time for the things you actually want to do?
In my discussion with that friend, we found that not time is the problem but clarity. And once we have clarity, it’s about priority. I revisit this thought in a minute 😉 Let’s discuss first what time is.
What is time?
Time is – of course – not the problem. Time just is. It’s one moment after another without the opportunity to reverse (let’s assume time machines still don’t work). One moment – now – and the next moment – now. Some moments happen in darkness, some during daylight. But that’s it. That’s time.
Humans have given this meaning by inventing time organisation tools like clocks and calendars. To make the most of time, we have squeezed all kinds of activities and commitments into what we call day. (I’m certainly no exception, although I allow a lot more white space and flexibility in my calendar nowadays.) No wonder, that we feel like we have “no time”.
Let’s return to what “no time” means and how clarity and priority can help. After all, why do you feel like having “no time”? What do you want to do in that time you seem to be lacking?
Clarity and priority
In 2021, when I was in between cancer treatments and had separated from my husband – thus having only 50% custody – I felt like I had no time at all. I started to wonder why as I was looking after the kids only 3.5 days per week and they also went to school and daycare. Further, I was unemployed and while I had time-consuming hospital appointments, there was a lot of time “available”. Still, I felt like having “no time”. So, I started reflecting on time and figured out that I wanted to work on my PhD but needed 2-3 hours of uninterrupted time to get into the flow and write. I followed advice from various life coaches to do what you “really” want to do right in the morning. So, on the days when the kids were with their dad, I got up at 7 and started to write within the hour for about 3 hours. By 10am, I was finished and did with my day what else had to be done. I suddenly felt in control of “my time” and it was very fulfilling.
So, I believe the real issue is that we squeeze ourselves into a set of commitments and don’t do what we “really” want to do. Further, I believe that most people are not aware what they really want to do. They just feel that they have “no time”. So, if that’s you, book some white space in your calendar to put your feet up, daydream, walk, meditate or kick back to clear your mind. Maybe declutter (always my go-to tool if I seek clarity). Then get clarity on what you currently “really” want to do. Life dream, learn something, pursue a hobby or just more time to rest or connect? The final step is prioritising. If your project needs focus, try to do it as early in the day as possible. Otherwise, just find windows in your schedule and make sure you’re having time for whatever you want to do.
If all of that doesn’t work, have a look at your calendar and consider decluttering. After all, time is moment after moment. And so is life. If you don’t do what you want to do – when are you going to do it?