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Not Having The Time Is An Excuse

One of the biggest reasons (or excuses) women tell me they’re not going to pursue growth is because they either don’t have the time or it’s simply not the right time. 

I hear this all. the. time. 

So I’m going to give you a bit of tough love in this post. 

Because let’s face it: sometimes we ALL need some tough love (myself included). And even though it’s hard to hear, in the long run, we’re better people because someone cared enough to tell us the truth. 

Ready?

You Make Time For What’s Important To You

Here it is: you make time for the things that are important to you. 

It’s true. 

We’re all busy. So when you tell me that you don’t have the time right now, I know that it’s true on one hand. You’re juggling so many different commitments: family, career, studies, church, volunteering, aging parents, and so on. 

So let me ask you a slightly different question…

Think back to the last time you really wanted something. 

Maybe it was an amazing vacation. Or it could have been a special surprise for your son or daughter. It could have been finishing a degree. 

Whatever it was, I’m guessing there were all kinds of reasons why you couldn’t do it. 

You didn’t have the time or the money or something else…

But if you really, really wanted it… did those things stop you? Of course not!! 

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How We Make Time For What We (Really) Want

My guess is you got real creative and you found a way around those challenges to make it happen…

Like re-organizing your schedule, picking up some extra part-time work to get the money or hiring a babysitter to give you some extra time.

Because that’s what I do when I really want something.

I figure out a way to make it happen. And I know you do too because that’s human nature. 

So when you tell me you don’t have the time to pursue your dream, what you’re really telling me is that you don’t value your dream that much. 

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Do You Believe Your Dream Matters?

And maybe that’s because you don’t believe your dream DOES have value. That it matters. Perhaps it feels selfish to follow your dream when you have so many other people needing you. 

But here’s a thought: what are you teaching your family — your kids and grandkids — when you don’t make your dreams a priority? 

What are you telling yourself when you don’t carve out space to follow your dreams? 

The message you’re telling your kids or your grandkids is that their dreams don’t matter.

I know this is a bit tough to swallow BUT this is too important not to say it. 

Your dreams matter. Give yourself permission to dream. It’s not selfish.

Instead, every time you pursue your dream, you’re giving everyone around you permission to dream too. 

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Look For The Time You Do Have

So find the time. 

Whatever season you’re in, look for small ways you can carve out the time. Maybe it’s an hour each week or it could be only five minutes a day because you have small kids — that’s okay! Use whatever time you have.

Then look for ways you can invest in your growth in ways related to your dream with that time. 

The most important thing is that you’re moving forward in your dreams and you stop using the excuse that you don’t have time. 

Make the most of each day with the time that you have.