The Myth of 'Finding' Time: Let's Be Honest, You Have to Make It.

[el-pepe]

That Familiar Sunday Feeling...
You know that feeling. It’s Sunday evening, the weekend is fading, and you’re looking at the week ahead. You think about everything you have to do—the work projects, the family commitments, the errands. Then you think about everything you want to do—read that book on your nightstand, finally start jogging, call an old friend, or just have a quiet hour to yourself.

And then the thought hits: "How am I going to find the time for all of this?"

We say it all the time. We talk about time like it's a set of car keys we've misplaced. We hope that if we just look hard enough, we'll stumble upon an extra hour or two. But if we're being honest with ourselves, that magical "found time" never really shows up, does it?

Here’s a small shift in thinking that can change everything: You will never find time. You have to make it.

Why We Feel Like We're Always Running Out
Think about it. Every single person, from a CEO to a student, gets the same 24 hours in a day. So why do some people seem to be in control while the rest of us feel like we're constantly being pulled in a million directions?

It's because we let our day happen to us instead of for us. When you're in "finding time" mode, you're basically waiting to see what scraps are left over after everyone and everything else has taken its piece of your day.

Let’s put it another way. You wouldn't just hope you can find the money for your rent or groceries; you set it aside because it's important. You allocate it. Making time for your goals, your health, and your happiness requires the exact same deliberate choice.

So, How Do We Actually Make Time?
It’s not about becoming a productivity robot or scheduling every second of your life. It’s about making a few conscious choices.

1. First, decide what actually matters.
There’s a huge difference between being busy and being productive. Busy is answering every email the second it arrives. Productive is finishing the one report that will actually move your career forward. We need to get better at telling the difference. Ask yourself: "What are the 2-3 things that, if I do them this week, will make me feel genuinely good and accomplished?" These are your priorities. The rest is just noise.

2. Protect your time like a bulldog.
Once you've decided to spend an hour on something important—whether it's working out or writing a business plan—you have to protect that time slot. In our world, that’s a battle. Every phone notification, every "got a quick question?" from a coworker, is trying to steal that time. It's okay to put your phone in another room. It's okay to tell someone, "I can't right now, but I can help you at 3 PM." You're not being rude; you're being intentional.

3. Be a detective of your own time.
If you feel like your time just vanishes, try this simple experiment. For just one day, jot down what you're doing every half hour. No judgment, just be honest. You might be shocked to see how those "quick five-minute" social media checks add up to an hour, or how much time is lost just switching between tasks. This isn't about making you feel bad. It's about showing you where the leaks are in your boat so you can patch them and start steering where you want to go.

Let's Talk About It
Ultimately, making time isn't just about getting more stuff done. It's about making room for a life with less stress and more joy. It’s about having space to breathe, to think, and to connect with the people and activities you love.

So, let’s get real. I’d love to know what you think.

• Be honest—does that feeling of "never having enough time" get to you? How does it make you feel?

• What's one small thing you do to actively make time for something that genuinely makes you happy?

• And in this crazy, always-on world, what’s your biggest enemy when it comes to focus? Is it your phone, your email inbox, or something else entirely?