The most crippling thought of every entrepreneur… “I don’t have time”
That’s MY most limiting belief and it’s very very common amongst small business owners.
I know that it’s a limiting belief.
I know that other people around me are using the same 24 hours a day, and getting way more done than me.
I know that when I think this, I’m focusing on lack and scarcity, and I know that it’s not a good thing.
And yet I still think it.
And I hate thinking it.
But I still think it.
Can you relate?
Does this sound familiar?
If so, join the club…there’s millions of members.
If not, you’re either not trying or you’re the person above whose crushing it, and I’d appreciate some comments below on how you figured it out!
Bottom line, saying “I don’t have time” is a bunch of BS.
You know it.
I know it.
So lets deal with it together, soound good?
Here’s the reality – you either:
- Don’t want to make the time
- Don’t know how to make the time
That’s it. It’s really that simple.
Now, when you face the reality of #1 it tends to really hurt.
For example, if you say “I don’t have time”…and you’re referencing the time you spend with your spouse or kids, or on your health, you’re simply prioritizing the other stuff (e.g work, friends, drinking, partying, sleep) more…because you actually (whether it sounds politically correct or not), in that present moment, value that other stuff more!
So my first questions to you are:
What must you START Prioritizing in 2020?
What must you STOP doing in 2020?
What MUST you MAKE MORE TIME for in your life in 2020?
Take 2 minutes.
Listen to your intuition.
Write it down.
And let’s move onto part #2…
HOW to make time.
Because this is where I’m at!
I know what I value.
I know what I don’t.
I cut out activities (and people) in my life that don’t move me towards my goals.
I know what I want to make time for.
How about you?
If you’re with me, let’s use an example we all know well…Doing Prospect Interviews® For Your Business & Parkbench Website.
🙂
I’m sure you have ALL thought “I don’t have time to do this” at some point. It’s ok. I don’t take it personally. I have too…doesn’t it make it right though!
So to exemplify how to solve all the “I don’t have time” excuses we say to ourselves, let’s dive into this one example.
After all, this activity is something that you value, want to do, and know the benefits of, yet sometimes still struggle to make time for…
And the formula to MAKE time for this, is the same formula to make time for EVERYTHING in your life.
Ready?
Step #1 – Audit your time (again perhaps), and see if there is more time sucks that you can cut out of your days.
For example, open houses. You do them, but don’t get clients from them. It sounds weird to say “I don’t do open houses anymore”. But when you think about your goals, you sometimes need to go against the grain, and do what makes sense for you, even if your friends, family, and peers think you’re cray cray.
Step #2 – Look at your process, for how you do it, and see if there is a way to get it done FASTER…even if you THINK it won’t be as good (this is likely a limiting belief).
For example:
- Do you THINK you need to do a lot of research about a person before you ask them to do an interview?
- Do you THINK you need to book all your interviews in person?
- Do you THINK you need to do a bunch of video editing, text overlays, transitions, bumper videos, etc?
- Do you THINK that you need to do everything? And that you can’t afford for someone else to do it for you?
Because in this example, the fact is, you don’t!
Sidebar: if you have a hard time believing this, then you MUST reach out to support so they can help you book interviews in 5 minutes or less, and create video content in less than 15 minutes, and walk you through the math of delegation
Another common example: you want to spend more time with your spouse and kids, and you THINK that means hours of time…when the effect you want to have on them could be achieved in minutes.
Step #3 – Time Block. Put it in your calendar.
It’s normal to time block interviews, and work. It feels weird to time block date night, time with your dog or kids. It seems “less human”…when really time blocking is helping you BE MORE of the human you want to be.
Step #4 – Create a reward for implementing this new habit over a 90 day period. AND, get a friend, partner, or spouse to create a consequence for NOT doing it. And yes, because you can’t fire yourself, that means some variation of cruel and unusual punishment. Bottom line, the consequence has to be something you do NOT want happening to motivate you to take action and implement the habit.
Example: Amanda doesn’t want to drink. So I said if you do, I get to take over all your bitcoin. If she wins, she gets my bitcoin. Game on 🙂
Step #5 – Think about the new habit every day, multiple times a day. What you focus on expands. And when you’re making time for something new, and implementing some new habits, rituals, and routines, you need to be OBSESSED about it.
And that’s it.
This is what I’ve found works for me, so if you’re sick and tired of thinking “I don’t have time for…”, give this a try!
Because here’s what I noticed…
Once I get past the 90-day mark, my “new norm” includes this activity that I needed to make time for. Therefore, I don’t need to think about it so much, it just happens. Automatically. So then I move onto the next habit I want to implement.
Now, if you are having issues with changing your life, changing your priorities, and changing your habits, rituals, and routines, I’m happy to help. Email me: grantfs@parkbench.com.
Yours in success,
G
