There's Not Enough Time

How many times have you told yourself that there isn’t enough time? It is a thought that runs on a constant loop in my mind. It leads to me feel frazzled, harried and overwhelmed. I am admittedly not very productive when I come from that place. I’m also not very happy. So, what gives? Why do I stay on that crazy-making train? The thought that there isn’t enough time is just a thought. But, when we think a thought over and over and over we believe it. So, I am (and I bet many of you are too) operating off the believe that there just isn’t enough time. Dr. Brene Brown is a shame and vulnerability researcher out of the University of Houston and someone I admire greatly. She has this to say about being busy:

“‘Crazy-busy’ is a great armor, it’s a great way for numbing. What a lot of us do is that we stay so busy, and so out in front of our life, that the truth of how we’re feeling and what we really need can’t catch up with us.”

If Dr. Brown is correct, and I believe wholeheartedly that she is, the question to ponder is what are we numbing out from? To answer this we are going to have to get really vulnerable with ourselves and examine what we are afraid of feeling or doing. Ask yourself what you are avoiding.

For me being busy keeps me from growing my business. Everytime I put something out in the world it opens me up to criticism or ridicule. I also risk failing. But that risk is so much bigger if I hide behind busy and don’t give it my all.

I vow that 2018 is the year that I change this belief. I’m not really that scared of criticism anymore, I think that fear is an old tape that continues to play in the background. I am also actively shifting my view of “failure” to a learning experience. Is this going to change overnight? Nope. But if I keep bringing myself back to more supportive thoughts when the time gremlin kicks up I can create new beliefs. And I am not stopping there. I am also implementing time management strategies and will keep trying them until I find what works with me and plays to my strengths.

What is behind busy for you? It is usually rooted in not feeling good enough. It could show up in your career, parenting, relationships or anywhere that you might feel vulnerable. Take some time to dig in and see what you are avoiding. Is it really worth the fear and discomfort? My guess is no. Start telling yourself more inspiring or uplifting thoughts. Remember a belief is just a thought you think over and over. Why not create a belief that is supportive instead of tearing you down?!