And what is that excuse you ask? Time. To be more specific, wanting more of it.
People are constantly whining that they need more time. And of course they inevitably utter that insanely ridiculous line, “I wish there were more hours in a day.” Do they even understand how much havoc that wish could wreck on the rest of us.
Lets say their wish was granted and they got, oh I don’t know, 30 hours instead of the typical 24. Well say goodbye to the standard 12 hour clock as we know it. We would now need one that goes from 1 to 15.
How weird would it be when some dude asks for the time and you say, “Oh, it’s 13 o’clock or it’s ten to 15 or it’s quarter after 14.” He would get that same goofy look on his face that people get when they are mentally trying to convert miles to kilometers. It’s not a pretty look people.
But I digress. As we are all well aware, mother nature has already predetermined how many hours we have in a day, and at last count (yesterday in my books) it remains at 24.
That said, there are some who use those 24 hours much better than others.
Unfortunately, there are many who manage their day like an unsupervised child with their allowance. They immediately blow the bulk of their time on junk activities leaving nothing left for the important stuff.
Consequently, this gives them a convenient excuse why they can’t…
- read more
- start that much needed exercise program
- learn a new skill
- meet new people
- volunteer
- take a vacation
- take a course
- start a blog
- spend more time with family and friends
- find a better job
- date
- cook better meals
- make their lunch as opposed to eating out
- walk instead of driving to work (unless work is like 50km away…might be a long walk)
- find the time to give you some time
Quite frankly, saying there isn’t enough time is the biggest freaking cop out ever. There are lots of people who accomplish an amazing number of things given the exact amount of time we have.
It’s one of the great equalizers in life. We all have the same number of hours in a day. Anthony Robbins, Barack Obama and Stephen King all have to work their greatness mojo within the same 24 hours the rest of us are given.
So how do you stop relying on this lame line so you can step out and start making time to do those things that will allow you to achieve that greatness you truly desire.
- Beat the rooster at his own game. Drag your tired carcass of bed earlier. I know, this is easier said than done, but getting up 1 or 2 hours earlier is an extra 7 to 14 hours a week. Dave Navarro, a budding internet rock star, has actually created a product to do just that-help people become early risers. Might be worth checking out. That’s a lot of extra hours my friends to commit some serious acts of greatness.
- Bag yourself some goals. If you don’t have goals then you have no way to filter out the poo that the monkeys of the world will fling your way. Goals allow you to prioritize and do things according to your time line (and not be at the mercy of someone else’s).
- Plan your freaking day. Seriously, if you don’t have a list of 2 to 4 keys activities to complete today (or any day for that matter) then what is guiding your decision making? I will tell you what or rather who. Other people. They will find a way to fill the vacuum you have created whether you like it or not.
- Become a no-man (no-gal). What’s a no-man? A melted snowman (get it?) OK bad joke. But if you want to free up more time in your day, hell in your life, you have got to start saying no. Again, if you have a plan (re: goals) then you know what fits and what doesn’t. If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit or something to that effect.
- Make sacrifices. Sheep or goats will do. No I’m kidding. Not those type of sacrifices. Cut the things that really don’t belong. Not sure what should go. Ask yourself this question: “When all is said and done, will I look back and be thankful I did these things.” If they are an integral part of you and what you will become, keep em’. If not, axe em baby.
- Hide the remote. TV sucks more hours from us then anything else except sleep. In an earlier post I have advocated for breaking up with TV altogether, but an all out break up is pretty tough. It might be best to simply let the TV know you will be seeing other activities, which will result in the two of you spending much less time together.
- Close up the email shop. Shut down your email program so you are not distracted by the messages bombarding your inbox. I have mine off right now as I write this post because I am just as curious as the rest of you email monkeys out there. Reacting to email can be pretty addictive, and can easily knock you off stride if you are not conscious of its evil side-tracking powers.
- Do 1. What is the 1 most important thing that needs to be done today to push your greatest desire forward. Whatever it is, do that thing first. Usually, it is also the most difficult of things to do, but if you can condition yourself to do it first, it creates an amazing psychological effect knowing that your most difficult and important task has been completed. And don’t underestimate all the other brownie points it brings as well: increased productivity, less stress, and happiness to name a few.
So there you have it; a few tips to free up some time to accomplish that which is truly important. Well, what are you waiting for? Lets bust a move on this and remember: Quit copping out with the worst excuse ever by saying you don’t have enough time.
To an idea excuse worth quitting,
Dean
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