Time is a choice — and a currency
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. — Laura Vanderkam, Are You As Busy As You Think?
The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. — Henry David Thoreau
You could equally say: the price of anything lost is the amount of life you were unwilling to exchange for it.
Are you happy with how you’re spending your time?









7 comments
Oh, how I love this! I think I now have an automatic raised eyebrow reflex when I hear people complain about how busy they are. It's usually said by people who have pursue a lifestyle at the expense of life. This is a good reminder for all of us.
Oh my. I loved this. Yes!
Lori, I'm tremendously un-busy by choice so the busyness epidemic confounds me. It is so pleasant to choose how you spend your own time.
I’m also un-busy by choice. I know myself well — I’m happier when I have nothing on the calendar and plenty of relaxed time at home. Our lives are 95% unstructured, open time filled with the things we want to do every day — read, work, play, garden, relax.
The anxiety level of life goes way down when you strip out all the nonessentials.
I really need to work on this more. Whilst our days are comparatively relaxed to many others I know, they are still too busy for my liking. We need to slow down more.
it’s always interesting to trim away unessential activities and responsibilities, just to see what happens with the space you create.
Funny how when I use this with friends/ acquaintances they become defensive... I've been doing this for a few years & I have met very few people who are open to looking at the way they experience their time as a choice. I prioritize my time for the things that are important to me & my family.
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