“The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what’s important first.”
~ Steven Pressfield
How many times have you caught yourself saying, or thinking, “I don’t have time to do that?”
Good news and bad news
A few weeks ago the business pickup of the New Year filled my calendar. I hadn’t yet queued up The Positive Shift weekly messages. I thought, “Oh, I don’t have time for that right now. I’ll just skip and do it next week.”
Then I had to stop myself right in my tracks! Because sending this message consistently each week is a key priority for my business, for me, and hopefully for you.
To say I “didn’t have time” meant I was diminishing the value of this weekly message and neglecting a key priority that will help me build my business. And if I don’t make my decisions guided by what’s most important to me and my business, then how good are the decisions that I’m making?
Having that reminder allowed me to re-direct, develop the message and get it out that day.
Change the statement.
When we say, “I don’t have time” often what we’re really saying is, “that’s not a priority for me.”
Sometimes this is true, and it’s good to move on.
Other times, however, we are not honoring the priorities we’ve established. We hide behind “not enough time” as an excuse. Let’s face it … is sounds way better than, “I know that’s important but I just don’t feel like doing it right now.”
Then we get stressed because we become very busy, but not very productive.
Now if I find myself saying, “I don’t have time,” I change the statement. Instead I say, “That’s not a priority for me right now.”
Then I test to be sure it’s true. I find that I am clearer about what I will –and will not– do. If I’m busy, and clear on my key priorities, I know I’m focused on the right work and being effective with my time.
Try it for a week.
If you struggle with getting out of work on time, or spend a lot of time saying, “I don’t have time,” I urge you to start noticing and take corrective action.
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