Making Time

Consider these two statements...

I'll make time to do it

I'll find time to do it

If you asked someone to do something, which response do you think is more convincing? I'll make time, right?

When someone says they'll make time to do something, you know they will. It means that it will go to the top of their to do list, it will be top priority.

When someone says they'll find time, it sounds like they'll do what they already had planned and they hope to find a gap where they might fit it in.

You know something is important when you make time for it. Look at your own week. What do you make time for?

Do you make time for..

• having a 1:1 with your team members?
• doing some exercise?
• putting your kids to bed?
• writing an article?
• hitting your reporting deadlines?
• spending time to give good feedback to candidates who applied to work at your company?
• listening to your customers?
• eating healthily?
• talking with your partner?
• sleeping?
• updating team members on the progress of a project?
• building relationships in your industry?
• learning?
• clearing your inbox?

Some of the above may or may not apply to you. I'm not saying you should or shouldn't do any of these things. I'm pointing out that if you think carefully about what you make time to do versus what you find time to do it will be like looking in the mirror. A time management mirror. A prioritisation mirror.

Once you've seen what's in the mirror you can reflect(!) and decide if you really are making time for the most important things.

Language has a way of revealing truths in our behaviour. The phrase "I'll make time" reveals a lot that we can learn from.