You’re Not Too Busy. You Just Don’t Know How to Manage Time
You are not as busy as you think you are.
At some point in our lives, we have all said, “I’m too busy.” However, that’s not always the case.
Some days or weeks are genuinely full, maybe a lot of work, going to a workout, and the little moments you try to keep to yourself, whether it’s watching a movie or just relaxing, doing something you really appreciate doing.
It can feel like there’s no room left for anything else that you might want to start or do, maybe starting a new hobby, deciding to read more, or even taking a walk during your day.
It feels impossible.
But that’s because you don’t know how to manage time. Have you ever thought that all of us have 24 hours? Of course, we don’t have the same 24 hours. Some people have someone who makes their breakfast the moment they wake up, and others have to make it themselves.
Two years ago, I used to listen to music on my way to work because it brightened my day. Listening to the right music can really improve your mental health and how you approach your day.
But after I encountered those same words, I realized that if I listened to an audiobook, I would be much more valuable in the future. But I just couldn’t listen to music in my mornings.
What Did I Do?
I began listening to music right when I woke up. I chose my favourite playlist and decided to take a bit longer to get myself ready. I was a person who liked to arrive late or almost late, so I knew I had the time.
By the time I got into my car every morning, I was already happy and had energy to go through the day. I decided to listen to a Podcast, books, or even some interviews about topics that I found engaging.
What about you? What do you like listening to besides music? What are your favourite topics that can improve your skills in the future? For some, maybe finance, maths, business. For other topics related to writing, food, and family.
I recommend avoiding anything you don’t appreciate, especially in the morning. You want to start your day with energy and feeling motivated, not feeling like you need to listen to that. That won’t work.
From “Have To” to “Want To”
I’m sure I was not the only one who often said, “I have to do this.”
I used to say I had to go to the gym. But that wasn’t true.
I didn’t have to go, I could just quit. I didn’t have to wake up early or push through. And neither do you.
When you say that you “have to”, it’s like you’re making yourself a victim. It feels like something external is forcing you to make that decision for you.
However, when you change this mindset to “want to”, you are taking that responsibility.
In psychology, that’s called “locus of control”. According to an article from SSM about Population Health, locus of control reflects whether your actions shape your life, or whether external factors outside your control determine it.
Remember that nobody is making you do anything, it’s your choice, you want to do it, but you need to stop acting like you need to do it. You are giving up on that control.
Research consistently shows that people with a stronger internal locus of control experience better physical health, healthier behaviors, and greater psychological well-being.
What Should You Stop Doing
When I was on my lunch break, I would often check social media, and perhaps you do the same. Stopping that habit improved my time management.
I started listening to a TED Talk every time. which usually lasts 10-15 minutes, and it will help you improve your knowledge in different fields. Stop procrastinating your time, “just one more video”. It’s never just one more, when you realize it, it’s been 2hours.
It happens to every one of us, at least once, and that’s okay, at least until you realize it.
After all, you do have more time, but just that you’ve chosen to spend it on other things, and normally, those things won’t do you any good.
You didn’t learn, you just watched the videos, and after 10 minutes, you even forgot what they were about.
Of course, I don’t expect or want you to be working all day, but is it really worth it to spend two hours on reels, TikToks, or even a pointless YouTube video? While you could be reading or even going to the gym?
Think about what is going to be more important in a few months or even years? Two hours per day on TikTok or two hours per day spent learning something new?
Two hours per day adds up to 730 hours per year. Imagine what you could have done in 730 hours.
Not Everything Important Is Urgent
Just because you have a lot of emails to respond to doesn’t mean you have to drop everything you’re doing.
My main problem was trying to do 10 things at the same time. Learn how to schedule your assignments and start by doing them. Don’t stop in the middle of the first one and go right to the second. Finish it first.
Every small assignment can put you in a good mood to do even more. In one of my posts, I talked about the habit of doing small tasks and their benefits to start your day even better.
If you would rather do the hardest task first, then that’s up to you.
The main aspect I want you to know is that once you start, don’t stop it and don’t change your attention, because then you have to start some other thing from the beginning and eventually come back to the first one.
It’s a classic case of the famous expression “Jack of all trades, master of none.” When you keep trying to spread your energy across 10 different things, you are not doing them simultaneously, just switching between them, which will cause you to pause.
Urgent tasks demand immediate attention, but the others can wait and often don’t. You need to learn to figure out how to divide those tasks and see what’s actually needed for NOW and what can be done later.
Once you figure that out, your time will be much more organized, and it will feel like you’ve done more than you thought you could do.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to manage your time effectively is essential for making the most of the same 24 hours.
By realizing what’s truly important to do that day and actually doing it, you can avoid letting work go unfinished for tomorrow.
Don’t forget about taking the time to please yourself. Find satisfaction doing what you actually enjoy doing, but don’t forget to not waste time on things that you don’t even care about, but do because of procrastination.
What is one “Have To” task you’re going to turn into a “Want To” today? I don’t want you to answer me, I want you to answer yourselves.
I hope this post inspired you to pursue what’s really going to make you improve, and to let go of what doesn’t matter in your life.
