{"id":8382,"date":"2019-02-05T10:00:58","date_gmt":"2019-02-05T17:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scotthyoung.com\/blog\/?p=8382"},"modified":"2019-02-05T10:15:50","modified_gmt":"2019-02-05T17:15:50","slug":"how-to-find-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scotthyoung.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/05\/how-to-find-time\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s never enough time.<\/p>\n

You want to exercise, eat well and be healthy. But the day slips by and you don\u2019t go to the gym. You eat that muffin for lunch, instead of the salad you thought you would. <\/p>\n

You want to do great work, advance your career, produce something meaningful. But your email inbox is overflowing. A coworker drops by to, \u201cask a quick question.\u201d Soon the working day is done, and you\u2019re exactly where you were the day before.<\/p>\n

You want to learn a language, guitar, to paint or martial arts. If you could just put time in consistently, you could make it happen. But it stops more than it starts, and years go by while it remains just a notion.<\/p>\n

Where to Find Time<\/h2>\n

The first thing to realize is that time is rarely the problem. Yes\u2014it is limited. But your attention, energy and enthusiasm is more limited than that.<\/p>\n

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Thus start creating habits. Inertia is a bigger enemy than a lack of time. You\u2019ll be surprised how much materializes, once you simply start doing the things for a few minutes a day.<\/p>\n

The second thing to realize is that a list of unfulfilled things isn\u2019t a problem to eliminate. It\u2019s our challenge as human beings to experience finite lives in an infinite world. To pick one thing, out of innumerous possibilities.<\/p>\n

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Thus prioritize your goals. Say no to the things that don\u2019t meet your criteria. Start with saying no to the things you don\u2019t even realize you\u2019re saying yes to right now. Above all, be content with having done one thing that mattered, rather than a dozen which do not.<\/p>\n

The third thing to realize is that our fears and frustrations unconsciously drive what we have time for. The fear of getting started, making a mistake or looking foolish conspire in the background to leave, \u201cI have no time,\u201d as the most attractive excuse.<\/p>\n

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Thus put your fears first. If it is important, do it. If it is unpleasant, do it now. Facing down the things that scare you has the unintended effect of those same things turning out to be not so scary after all. <\/p>\n

You Have the Time<\/h2>\n

Not for everything. Not even for most things. But for the things that matter.<\/p>\n

Maybe you only have a few minutes each day. Then use those few minutes.<\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s fragmented, distracted and prone to interruption. Then cut it up, spread it out and let it be put on pause.<\/p>\n

Just don\u2019t let it slip away unknowingly, another day without a moment spent on the things that matter most to you.<\/p>\n

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