“I’ve got soooooooooooo much going on…. I just don’t have the time to exercise.”
We’re all guilty of saying that, right?
We all know our bodies were designed to move. We’ve seen how our couch potato life style is killing us.
Research has shown exercise is the wonder treatment for weight loss – yet we still struggle to ‘find time’ to do it, even the NEAT way.
So what’s a busy girl to do?
We’re all busy in this day and age.
If we’re not dashing to work, we’re juggling children, ageing parents, school runs, committees, voluntary work, homework, housework….we’re so busy rushing to ‘get there, get it done’, that we’re constantly, vaguely stressed.
Rush rush rush
Bizarrely, it’s like ‘being busy’ is the new badge of honour in today’s society. It’s how we ‘keep up with the Joneses’.
Somewhere along the line ‘being oh so busy’ means that we’re alive, important and special!
“I don’t have time…”
But have you noticed how victum-y and passive it sounds when you say, “I don’t have time.”
Before the words even leave your lips you can feel how finger-pointy and pitiful it sounds. It’s the kind of thing a petulant three-year-old says – NOT the gorgeous woman that you are.
Here’s the thing, sweetheart
We often say “I don’t have time” when we don’t want to feel guilty about skipping something that we now deep down is important, but we kinda just don’t really want to do.
e.g.
If we “don’t have enough time to exercise”, it’s easier for us to be okay with wheezing after a flight of stairs.
If we “don’t have enough time to prepare healthy meals”, it’s easier to accept our next unhealthy meal from the pizza delivery boy.
Own your 24 hours
If you find yourself saying “I don’t have enough time”, it’s time to get real honest with yourself.
The one great leveller in life is that we all have 24 hours in a day. Every single one of us. It’s up to us what we do with them.
What are you doing with yours?
Watching telly? Sleeping? Working?
Do you need to drop an episode of Coronation Street or the Kardashians? Do you need to put yourself first, and actually leave the office at a reasonable hour?
All the while you’re claiming “I don’t have time” you’re literally giving away your power to do anything about it. It’s a very, very weak energy to send out into the world.
You already know about the power of language. Here’s another cool language trick to help you take control of your time.
Four little words
Starting right now, you’re no longer allowed to utter the words: “I don’t have time.”
Instead, you will be honest and say, “It’s not a priority.”
Saying “It’s not a priority” is honest and brave. Initially it might feel unfamiliar – that’s OK.
The gift is that those four words lift the fog of denial. It helps you own your own time. Suddenly you’re back in control – you’re reclaiming your power.
See how quickly your perspective shifts when you look at the time challenge this way:
“I’d love to exercise before work, I just don’t have time” becomes “exercising isn’t a priority.”
“I’d love to eat healthier, but I don’t have time to cook” becomes “eating healthy isn’t a priority.”
Suddenly, the lack of time excuse becomes an incredibly weak argument.
Stings a bit, huh?
And that’s a good thing. Sometimes we need that feeling of discomfort before we create change.
Releasing your excuses around time requires courage and honesty – but it is simple.
It’s only by getting honest with yourself that you can start finding pockets of time in your day. You are in control, you already have permission to do whatever you want to do…you’ve just forgotten this truth.
Using this one simple language tool will help you spot where you’ve been tricking yourself into feeling powerless.
You got this, sweetheart.
Love etc, Avril
PS: As a good friend of mine says, “If you think exercising is a waste of time ……. just see how much time being sick wastes.”
PPS: If you think you need help to re-write your excuses around time, exercise and putting your health first, hypnotherapy can help. C’mon over, let’s create the time together….
