Too busy? That's because it's not a priority.
Let's be real - we find time for things that matter.
I was talking to an acquaintance a few days ago and the question came up:
What is something that you’ve always wanted to do but somehow haven’t done yet?
Skydiving, he said.
Well, what’s stopping you? I asked.
I’m too busy, he said.
I’m working on my Masters; I have to think about things at work; I’m training for a marathon; I’ve just started my side hustle — I’m just too busy to think about going skydiving. I don’t have time.
So you don’t have time to help me do a survey for an hour?, I asked.
He laughed, incredulous. Of course not.
What if I told you that a dear loved one is in the hospital, and they will die — unless you spend an hour to complete my magical survey that will save their life? I asked.
His mirth faded as he contemplated my hypothetical situation.
Giving me a hard look, he said: Of course, I’d do the survey.
So somehow you’ve managed to find an hour of time, where previously you didn’t have an hour to spare. Magic? I questioned.
He raised his hands, conceding defeat.
Oftentimes, we think that what gets done or doesn’t get done is a matter of how much time is available — more likely than not, it is a matter of priority.
My hypothetical situation may have been ridiculous, but the point remains.
We are often quick to say that we don’t have time to do this or that, but the reality is simply that this or that is not a priority for us (at the moment, or ever).
“Hey, let’s meet for lunch.”
“Sorry, too busy at work.” → Work is a greater priority than you.
“Why didn’t you respond to my message?”
“Too busy with other stuff.” → Vague, “Other Stuff” is more important than your message.
“Wanna come see my band play this evening?”
“Sorry, mate, I don’t have time this evening.” → Whatever they are doing this evening takes precedence over seeing your band play.
Too many of us hide behind the veil of “busyness”, instead of accepting that lots of things just aren’t priorities to us. In this modern world that values busyness, it has become acceptable to pass off our lack of interest or motivation as busyness.
Being busy is an excuse we all use. But use it often enough and “busyness” becomes something you just use as a catchall phrase to put up a wall in between you and whatever it is you are “too busy” to do.
Whether that’s catching up with old friends you haven’t seen in ages, or reading that book that you’ve been meaning to, or even going skydiving — being too busy for something is simply a reflection of the fact that it is not a priority.
Prioritizing things in and of itself is not a bad thing. I mean, we do it all the time, and it is a necessary function to navigate life on this planet.
But let it be a conscious decision, an active choice, rather than a matter of being a force of habit.
Let is be that you choose (or do not choose) this or that or the other, and not simply that you let things happen as they will and hide behind the false veil of not having enough time.
Because as we have seen, when the stakes are high enough, we will find an hour to do the most mundane survey we would not have given time of day to previously.
So, in this season of your life, what are you prioritizing? What will you find/create/make time for? What will you allow to pass you by because it is simply not important enough for you to figure out a way to make it work?
I always find it funny when people say, “Oh wow, you are so lucky to travel so much / live in Mexico / work remotely / live a life you love, etc.”
Because yes, there is an element of luck (and privilege) there, but also, at some point in my life, I decided that these things were a priority for me and I did whatever it took to make it happen.
And so if you are reading this wondering how come you never found the time to go skydiving or to write that book or to travel Europe or to start a successful business, or to indulge in your music or to go to the gym — maybe the simple answer is that it isn’t/wasn’t your priority.
The great thing about priorities is that they can change.
You can decide to prioritize skydiving, or taking that trip, or writing that book, or going to the gym, or cooking from your grandmother’s recipe book.
You simply have to decide to prioritize that.
And then, magically, you will find the time.
What will you prioritize in this season of your life?
Inspired by the original post: Don’t Say ‘I’m Busy’, Try Saying ‘You’re Not A Priority’.
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