How to Create Time That You Don't Have
Following article was written by Leo Babauta at Create.
It’s amazing how many people I talk to who tell me they want to create a new blog, write a book, start a new business, change careers, make something new.
But they keep putting it off.
Does that sound familiar? You’ve been wanting to do something different, but you don’t have the time (or maybe the energy) right now? A million things on your to-do list, a schedule packed full, meetings that keep coming up. You’ll get to your Big Thing, but later. There’s all the time in the world to do it later, right?
That time will never come. Not if you don’t create that time yourself.
Seize the bull by the horns, grasp it tenaciously, never let it go. Time has a habit of trampling over us, so softly we don’t even notice but so powerfully we become crushed over the course of weeks and years.
I had two jobs, six kids and marathon training going on when I created Zen Habits. There was no time, but I put up a single blog post.
The next day I did two posts, even though I had no time. That month I did about 30 posts (not all are still online), despite there being no time.
I had no time, so I created it. ( How to change a habit )
Time is often said to be our most limited resource, but it’s not true. We can create time. It takes the sheer force of will to do it, but it can be created.
Time doesn’t fall into your lap. It isn’t handed to you by a kindly old gentleman. You must create it, taking from the world the raw materials you need and shaping it with your bare dirty blistered hands, pushing the clay into form from its shapeless muddy glob.
I had no time to create Zen Habits, and yet today it stands, alive and breathing with pattering heart. I created the time, taking some from television watching, some from meetings, some from saying no to the endless requests on my time by co-workers and wellmeaning friends, some from other important projects that I put off.
I put off important things to create time for The Most Important Thing.
I said no to others I cared about to say yes to the thing I needed to make.
Say no to everything else. Put off what can be held at bay for the time being. And create time for what is necessary.
Make something. Bring new creative life into the world, change the lives of others, and in doing so, change yours.
You have the power to create time, and the will to create. Don’t squander it, my friend.
am doing my m.tech in digital systems and computer electronics and i want to do my phd in usa .i want to know what exam i should give gre general or gre subject test to get seat in any universities of usa .please help me
GRE general is sufficient for most degrees.
Wow, I never followed any blog but HSB is one worth following. It takes sheer pressure and knowledge to run a blog like this. Well, something is done good in this world, and HSB is what I am talking about.! All the very best. 🙂
mention more blogs on self development
dear hsb, i m curious to know about you, the guy behind hsb, and the detailed efforts taken to run the blog, and preventive measures if any taken, thanks.
Insightful, accurate and inspiring. Thank you 🙂
Good Post.
Raghu aka Mr. HSB,
I noticed that you have some really good reading habits especially on self development. You know, I started following the TED talks only after you introduced it to me. Or else, I might have never come to know about it. Similarly is the case of 4 hour work week (I`m currently reading that). So, you have kind of introduced me to some things that I never knew or never would have known about. So, My special thanks to you on that note. Why don`t you share your reading lists with us ? I`m sure it would be really helpful.
Reading lists – I mean, the books that you read in the past or books that you recommend. I think there should be a separate post for this.
I follow over 150 Blogs and 50 News Papers, I get over 40 alerts per day in email about topics I’m interested about. To run a blog and create contents daily, I have to read, read and read non-stop. People don’t realize what it takes to run a blog like this.
Whoa .,, That`s some serious effort going on. May be you are reading more now, than what you used to read for your college or exams..:-)
Of course, it takes a lot to run a blog like this. Especially considering a full time work, family, kids and all that stuff.. But, trust me, thousands of students are benefited from this. So, In a way, you are bringing about a change in many of our lives. Some people just don`t seem to understand this. They pass on some sick, sarcastic, irrelevant comments. They just don`t appreciate anything..These kinds of people are real losers in life
Follow Leo’s blog for more insights into personal development.
Thanks a lot HSB !! I started following Leo’s blog and it’s truly inspiring 🙂 I’m looking forward for posts form you that will help me overcome fear !
Looking forward for your post !
Insightful and Inspiring ..!!
You are really amazing , i am eager to know how u are managing time for work, family, kids , blog and all……
no doubt your effort is paying off for us , this blog gives lot more info to 1000’s of students and aspirants like me.