If I could get a dime for every time, I hear this complain I’d be… still hearing it!
I call it The Mother of All Excuses. Lack of time. Don’t give me that look and say: “Paula, I really don’t have time” I know, and neither do I, but that’s not the point.
It’s clear that our modern lives are busy. And it seems to get worse and worse. You wake up early, go about your usual morning routine, try to be productive at work, get home to look after your family, pets, take care of house chores, or do some more work. By the time you get to sit and relax you fall asleep exhausted. How can you find space for all those personal projects that you keep postponing year after year?
I’ve been there too. I can’t remember the number of times I said: “this is the year I get to write and publish my book” (soon to be released as of this writing, B.T.W.). I used to postpone vacations, meetings with friends, fitness goals.
For years, I wanted to do yoga. This project first came to my mind when my first son was a baby. Back then I used him and my full-time job as an excuse. The hours for yoga classes didn’t fit my schedule so I just said: “I’d love to try yoga, but I don’t have the time.” Then my second son was born, and then five more years went by before I attended my first yoga class. How did that happen?
When I sold my business, I found myself with enough time to spend. As I got out my door one morning, I got a flyer from a new yoga studio, opening close to home. I believed it was a sign. And also, I had nothing to lose nor an excuse about lacking the time. I decided to give it a try and got hooked. It did me so well! Yoga helped me release my anxiety and control my thoughts in a way I didn't think possible. It energized me and made me feel stronger. It became a priority, a need. Ever since, I’ve made yoga happen, no matter what, for almost three years now, even while working full-time jobs again.
I’m not saying you should run and sign up for the next vinyasa flow class you find, but I’m sure you’ve got at least one dream you think about and say to yourself: - “one day.” Why can’t that day be today?
Want the truth? It’s never about time.
For me, it was about guilt. The shame of leaving my babies with someone else and spending time for myself. Even when I first started my practice, having no obligations with my schedule, I felt guilty for spending almost two hours breathing, stretching, and enjoying myself. I felt lazy. It was not a comfortable block to overcome.
What’s behind your “lack of time”? Fear of failure? Fear of success? Guilt? A misunderstood idea of responsibility? A block in self-love or self-worth? Fear of change? Fear of judgment from others?
Because trust me, if you really want it, with all your heart, you’ll make it happen.
Think about taxes. You keep postponing doing them until the deadline is hanging over your head. Then, you find the time to get them done. Why didn’t you do it before? Because it’s not exactly an enjoyable task and due date seemed miles away. But there could be underlying reasons for that too. Maybe you’re afraid of taking an honest look at your finances. Perhaps you’re worried about having the money to pay. Or maybe you just don’t like your accountant (it happens). Whatever the reason, time was just an excuse.
What’s that big block you need to remove?
I’ve found that most times, what stands between us and our goals is a limiting belief. Discover it, work on it, and you’ll see quick progress. Even just the simple act of making a determined decision, like deciding what you want, will generate the energy inside you necessary to start moving forward. The rest will come by momentum.
As for me and my yoga, the limiting belief was “If I spend time enjoying myself, I’m lazy.” I always thought there was something better I should be doing. Something more “productive.”
Be patient and loving with yourself.