Job Corner: Stop Saying You Don’t Have Time

Monday, April 13, 2015

Lea McLeod, GoLocalPDX Careers Expert

It seems like the mantra of our modern age: “I don’t have the time!” How many times have you caught yourself saying, or thinking that throughout your workday or on the weekend. It seems we are all squeezed to get stuff done with our most precious and irreplaceable of all resources: Time.

When the calendar leaf turned to Q2, my schedule started filling quickly. I hadn’t yet planned and queued up my posts for the month. 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 getting those messages mapped out and planned 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 my published content 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 you say, “I don’t have time” often what you’re really saying is, “that’s not a priority for me right now.”

Sometimes this is true, and it’s good to move on.

Other times, however, you are not honoring the priorities you’ve established. You 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 you are stressed because you become very busy, but not very productive. Then you’re projecting your work into long nights and weekends, because you believe it’s necessary. I encourage you to challenge that assumption!

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.” There’s a big difference. It’s a mindset shift.

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. There’s stuff that just won’t be done. And that’s OK. Not all work is the most important work.

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.

Spend the next week and observe:

What decisions are you making each day about what you will, and will not, do?
Note how often do you hear yourself saying, “I don’t have time.”
Change it up, and instead, say, “That’s not really a priority for me right now.”

Then notice what happens. Are your decisions about action aligned with your priorities? Or do you have some changes to make?

I’d like to hear what you discover! Drop me a note [mail to: [email protected]] and share your experience.

You DO have the time. It’s just a matter of how you spend it. Make sure you spend it on the most important things. And that applies to your work life, and your home life.

Lea McLeod helps people meet challenges in the job search – and in the job - head on. Formerly a Director Level manager at Hewlett-Packard, she hired, fired and managed people around the world. Now, she helps people do great work, and leave the office on time.

She works with individuals and teams to make the work experience better, resolve conflict, and improve collaboration. Get started with her 21 Days To Peace At Work e-course. It’s free!

She also created The Resume Coloring Book online course to give clients a step-by-step process for writing a great resume, at a fraction of the cost a professional would charge.