Courtney Kania Young

Time 

Ivy wore two of my hand-made, custom costumes to halloween events this week and a couple people asked me "how do you have time for that?" I didn't really know how to answer, and their response to my awkward silence both times was "I would never have time do something like that". 

Ivy's 2016 Halloween costume

This got me thinking about "time". Time is one limited resource that we can't just go out and get more of. It's the one thing we really have to be careful about giving away. People always make time for what's important to them. No matter how much or how hard you work, there will always be more to do. The more committed you are to achievement, the more you'll have on your to-do list. 

Family Vacation

We lead busy lives, and I feel that something as simple as changing our vocabulary can be the solution to finding time for what's important to you. I read an article from the Wall Street Journal that really spoke to me.. 

Instead of saying "I don't have time" try saying "it's not a priority," and see how that feels. Often, that's a perfectly adequate explanation. I have time to iron my sheets, I just don't want to. But other things are harder. Try it: "I'm not going to edit your résumé, sweetie, because it's not a priority." "I don't go to the doctor because my health is not a priority." If these phrases don't sit well, that's the point. Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice. If we don't like how we're spending an hour, we can choose differently."

We say we "don't have time" when life gets busy or when we don't want to feel guilty about not doing something. How you choose to spend your time defines your priorities. We have 168 hours in a week. Your priorities, whether you say so or not, are where you choose to spend those hours.  Make the most of them!  It’s amazing how much time you can find when you minimize the things that aren’t important to make room for the things that are. 

Making cookies in a harp gown

Starting today, erase the phrase "I don't have time" from your vocabulary. Replace it with "it's not a priority." then decide what you want your priorities to be. 

I do make time for my priorities. I wake up every day of the week before my children to enjoy coffee alone and accomplish as much as I can on my to-do list. What I don't achieve before they wake, I do throughout the day with their "help". Some things I can't do while they sleep like practice the harp (it's very loud) or the piano (also very loud). I provide healthy, well balanced meals for my family, I have a steady career, keep my house clean (not clutter free, but clean), husband happy, and social life intact, but you know what, I am EXHAUSTED!! So yes, while technically there is TIME for priorities, it's still hard to balance everything and fit it all in. I certainly don't have it all figured out, but I do think it's important that you respect that other people's priorities might be different than yours.