I have been wanting to write this post for a while. But I haven’t had time.
I figured I’d do it eventually.
But project deliverables got in the way. So did happy hours. And so did sleep.
Don’t get me wrong: I kept writing it on my to-do lists. I definitely wrote it down more than a few times with misguided hope that eventually I’d find time to do it.
Then one day it occurred to me: you don’t find time, you make it. Nothing happens by itself. What you get out of life is related directly to what you put in.
You need to get back in shape? Spend time at the gym.
You want to learn to cook? Spend time in the kitchen.
You hope to get your MBA? Spend time studying, applying, and then spend time in class.
Whether you need something, want something, or hope something happens, chances are it probably won’t – unless you invest your time.
Every day, you get 24 hours. You spend those hours in lots of different ways. It’s not unlike investing.
Time is your currency, how you chose to invest it will largely determine what you get out of it (a lot more than just needing, wanting, or hoping will).
The only difference between “pending” and “ending” is “spending.” (Ok, so that didn’t quite work, but I thought it was clever enough that you’d give me a break).
You won’t find time, you’ll have to make it.
Very abstract, right? Here’s some concrete:
Treat yourself like a paying customer.
We’re amazing at getting things done for other people. Bosses, clients, and colleagues can all count on us to do things for them in a timely manner. They have an expectation that you will deliver something for them in a given timeframe – and with these parameters, you usually do.
What if you applied these same parameters internally? You’d probably find more time to get things done for yourself.
Don’t wait for the right moment.
It’s not going to present itself in a tidy little suit and sing you a song. In fact, it’s not even going to show up. If you find yourself thinking “I’ll get to it right after this other stuff,” you’ll probably never get to it.
Why? Because “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, things will take as long as you let them.
Make your distraction your reward.
If you’ve even read this far, chances are you’ve stopped at least once to answer an email, check Twitter, or send an IM. (Disclosure: I did all of those things at least a half dozen times while writing this).
Communications technology helps just as much as it gets in the way. Position your distraction as your reward and don’t let yourself cave until you’ve at least moved the needle on a project you don’t have time for.
Go M.I.A.
You’re accessible. You have an open-door policy. People know where to find you and know they can always drop by for some help, advice, or guidance. Abandon them (just long enough to get done what you need to get done). And who knows, maybe your absence will make their heart grow fonder.
How did you have time to read this? Was it a waste? Let me know in the comments – or add your own tips, if you have time.
[image: hickr]
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice post Andrew. This is one of those things that seems so basic but yet we all need to remind ourselves to make and invest the time to do whatever it is we’re waiting to have the time to do. Makes me think of my visit with my doctor last year when he asked me if I was exercising or getting to a gym. Of course my response was I don’t have the time. He spun it around and suggested I look at that exercise time as the 30 to 60 minutes per day that is my time, mine alone that nothing and nobody can interfere with. So I joined the gym. I pay every month but I haven’t been there in about nine months. I need to invest the time. Thanks for the reminder.
I made time to comment! Ok, enough sarcasm but I agree with you. It’s always funny to me how people say “I wish I could _____” and in reality they really could, if they could just get up and do it. But instead, they keep wishing, hoping something might happen.
@Josh: I’ve totally been there (Ok, there right now, who am I fooling?) I can get myself to commit to exercise once, but on a continual basis? Impossible. But, as alluded to by your doctor, however you can get yourself actually to spend the time (trickery, fear, w/e) it’s good. Because once you’ve spent it, the benefit comes in. Nobody likes studying, but they like being smart (I’ve heard).
@bill: Right. Change “I wish” to “I will” and follow through on it. Easier said than done, but that’s exactly the point.
People want the easy way out. They ask this question (How do you have time for that?) because they expect there to be some sort of secret they haven’t been informed of yet. They can’t possibly fathom you actually spending time to get good at something, no, there must be some short cut. These tend to be the same people who never actually do anything in life. What I want to tell them, but often refrain from telling them, is that if there was an easy way to do whatever it is they are doing, then everyone else would be doing it, and it wouldn’t be special. I usually just smile and nod.
I really liked this Andrew! It really reminds me of just how many hours there are in the day – and how I could manage my time better for the things I really want to get done, and how I keep saying I will do this “soon”, and as long as it is on my “to-do” list, it will get done. Like Martin Luther King Jr. said, “How soon not now, becomes never.”
@Tom: I think you may be on to something. People want to press the easy button.
@Jenny: Thank you! I think we all know this intuitively, but it takes time and effort to do anything, which is a total buzzkill when you’re daydreaming about things you’d like to do. I’m about as guilty as you can be of committing this sin
You are so right! And it links to old adage – if you want something done, ask a busy person because they know how to manage time. If you really want to do it, you will. But sometimes that task needs rumination time, like the paper for a graduate class I really need to get started on…..
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