Why You Don’t Have Enough Time + What To Do About It
Wondering why you never have enough time and if it’s possible to do anything about it? Learn how to better prioritize your life.
The lament, "I didn’t have enough time to do it," has become the adult version of the excuse "The dog ate my homework."
But let's get real.
Declaring a shortage of time is often a convenient scapegoat for our unwillingness to prioritize our time better.
Meaning? When you say "I don't have enough time" it’s actually code for "It's not a priority."
Let me ask you a quick question:
If time were money - would you be as cavalier about where you spent it?
Or would you be a bit more Scrooge-like about it?
Chances are you'd prioritize time a lot better if it were truly money. This brings me to the following point.
Why You Don’t Have Enough Time (Spoiler: It's Not About Time)
The true enemy to not having enough time? No, it's not time scarcity.
It's a combo of a lack of mindful awareness of your core values - merged with your refusal to intentionally prioritize what matters most.
Think of your life as like a buffet.
Just because everything is available to eat - doesn’t mean you need to stuff your plate with everything on the smorgasboard table. You need to select from the buffet wisely.
Well, when you feel like you don’t have enough time, it’s because your misusing your life buffet options.
You’re indulging in things that, at best, are forgettable. And, at worst, downright regrettable.
Meaning?
If you want to find more time in your life…
You need to recognize what matters most - and heap that onto your life's plate.
Plus you need to recognize what to skip entirely - and skip it.
Unfortunately this can be a tough hurdle to master.
Why?
Because there are 6 psychological time traps - little gremlins of your mind - each playing tricks - and leading you astray from what truly matters.
6 Psychological Time Traps That Block You From Prioritizing Time
Coming up I will explain each of these 6 time traps. Plus I’ll arm you with tools to outsmart them.
I’m sharing about the importance of prioritizing your time because I’m the author of a book on death awareness - which is all about recognizing life is short - so use your time wisely.
1. The People-Pleaser Trap
The Dilemma: It's like being the human equivalent of a golden retriever, always eager to please. This compulsive "yes"-saying, driven by a fear of rejection, can lead you to juggle tasks like a clown at a circus, except less entertaining and more exhausting.
The Escape Plan: Embrace the power of "no." It's not a dirty word. It's a complete sentence. Start by gently turning down low-stakes requests.
Real-Life Script: When asked to organize yet another office party, try, "I'd love to, but I'm swamped with the Henderson project." It's the polite equivalent of "I'd rather watch paint dry."
2. Pain-Avoidance Thinking
The Dilemma: Our brains, bless them, are like overprotective parents, steering us away from anything remotely challenging. This leads to a life of playing it safe, akin to eating vanilla ice cream at a gelato festival.
The Escape Plan: Start small. Break intimidating tasks into bite-sized pieces.
Real-Life Script: If tackling a big project, start with something small, like drafting an outline.
3. The Illusion of Multitasking
The Dilemma: Successful multitasking is a mythical beast. We think we're acing it, but we're really just giving ourselves a participation trophy.
The Escape Plan: Mono-task. Focus on one thing at a time, with the kind of devotion usually reserved for the first cup of coffee in the morning.
Real-Life Script: If you're writing a report and your email beckons, ignore it. It’s like pretending you didn't hear someone you dislike call your name at a party.
4. Perfectionism Paralysis
The Dilemma: Perfectionism is the equivalent of trying to bake the world's best chocolate cake – it's exhausting, and there's always someone who prefers vanilla.
The Escape Plan: Set time limits. When the bell rings, it's hands off, even if it's not a masterpiece.
Real-Life Script: Working on a presentation and can't stop tweaking? Set a timer for one hour. When it dings, it's like Cinderella at midnight – time to stop, even if the shoe doesn't fit perfectly.
5. Comfort Zone Conundrum
The Dilemma: The comfort zone is like a cozy blanket on a cold day – and leaving it feels like an act of madness. But staying wrapped up means missing out on the world's wonders.
The Escape Plan: Nudge yourself to try new, slightly uncomfortable things. It's like adding a dash of chili to your chocolate – unexpectedly invigorating.
Real-Life Script: If public speaking scares you, start by contributing more in meetings. It's like dipping your toe in the ocean, instead of diving headfirst into the deep end.
6. The Mortality Oversight
The Dilemma: This is the grand illusion – the belief that we have an infinite amount of time. It's like thinking the party will never end, so why rush to the dance floor? But in reality, our time here is finite.
The Escape Plan: Acknowledge the impermanence of life, not with a sense of dread, but with an appreciation for the precious present. When you embrace the reality of your mortality, you begin to feel the urgency to prioritize tasks and goals that align with your deepest values and passions.
Real-Life Script: Always wanted to learn the piano but kept postponing it? Remind yourself about your mortality and how you want to feel on your death bed. Tell yourself, "I'm starting piano lessons this month."
The Ultimate Time Quiz
Now I want you to take a moment to pause and reflect on how you spend your days.
Are they filled with activities that make your soul do a happy dance.
Or are they cluttered with things that make you question your life choices?
This isn't about inducing guilt. it’s more like a friendly nudge to live more mindfully.
With this in mind, review the following questions - then use your gut to discern the difference between what deserves your time… and what doesn't.
What things are you spending time on that you know in your heart are wasteful time-suckers?
Why do you keep at these time wasters? Is it habit, fear, or just because you've never really thought about it?
What's something meaningful you've put on the back burner, like that novel you said you'd write or that guitar gathering dust? How can you schedule this meaningful thing into your calendar - so you have a specific time for it?
What activities makes you lose track of time for the right reasons? How can you schedule these into your calendar?
Are you saying "yes" to things out of obligation rather than interest?
What's one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting off?
Do you prioritize tasks that align with your long-term goals?
How often do you engage in activities that genuinely relax and rejuvenate you?
What can you delegate or eliminate to create more space for what matters?
Are you confusing being busy" with being "productive"?
How does your screen time compare to time spent on personal growth?
What would you do today if you knew you couldn’t fail - or if you were 50% braver?
Recap: Why You Don’t Have Enough Time
So… are you finally ready to give all of this "mindful awareness about time" a try?
Start with small steps. Yes, they might feel like drops in the ocean. But remember, oceans are made of drops. Overtime these small, persistent changes will eventually build up to create waves. And these waves of change can lead to personal breakthroughs, a newfound understanding of yourself, and a life that reflects your true priorities.
