Excuses: I'm time frazzled!

Excuses, excuses, excuses – I've heard my fair share of them and I have to say that time is often top of the list. So, how do you deal with this when someone gives it to you as a reason for not doing something? This short blog answers that question. I've written it with the aim of providing you with some useful tips and also to help you see things from the point of view of the time frazzled person that you're dealing with.

Understanding the time management problem

So, firstly, let’s get honest here about not having enough time. Who feels like there are never enough hours in the day to get it all done? I for one often do, and I know that I’m not alone. Most of us regularly feel overwhelmed as we’re increasingly leading hectic lives.

Whilst technology may have become our ally on many levels it’s also made things a lot worse. Being the ‘devil in disguise’ to a certain extent, mobile technology advancements have meant that we’re now expected to be contactable (and in some cases working) all the time, whether we’re in a job, running our own business or just being a parent.

The top reasons why things don’t get done

• We procrastinate
• We get distracted
• We can’t say no
• We don’t delegate or outsource
• We can’t let go as we’re perfectionists
• We take on too many commitments and spread ourselves too thin
• We can’t accurately estimate how much time something is going to take
• It's not important enough to us

How to reclaim control and deal with the no time objection

So what can you do to help yourself and combat this time management challenge? How can you reclaim control and deal professionally with the ‘I've got no time' objection?

Well, one of the first things you need to be aware of is that this is an excuse. Time is just a statement of priority. We all have 24 hours in the day to get done what we want/need to get done. I for one find this incredibly exciting as it really does put all of us on a level playing field. What this actually means is that what we do with our 24 hours is simply up to us! We have to own this and take responsibility for it!

Like everyone else, we prioritize. We choose to do whatever we want to do with our time. Time is like currency – we trade it – choosing to give something up in order to do something that is more of a priority to us, our business or our family. If something is important to us, we will always make time.

I'm hoping this is all making sense to you by now. The final thing I want to say on this subject is simply to encourage you to be honest with those that you’re speaking to. If they are struggling, or getting stressed be there to help. We all need it sometimes!

In the comments below, tell me how you deal with the ‘I've got no time' excuse. Let me know too how you prioritize your time and overcome your time management challenges. Is there anything that you regularly choose to give up or sacrifice in order to get something done that is more of a priority to you, your business or you family? And, finally let me know what action you'll take as a result of watching this video and reading this post too. I'd love to hear.

Thank you, as always for reading, watching and contributing here. If you found this useful, please share it with your friends!

With love and gratitude,

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JaneFrankland

Jane Frankland is a cyber security market influencer, award-winning entrepreneur, consultant and speaker. She is the Founder of Cyber Security Capital and the IN Security Movement. Having held executive positions within her own companies and several large PLCs, she now provides agile, forward thinking organisations with strategic business solutions. Jane works with leaders of all levels and supports women in security. Her book, IN Security: Why a failure to attract & retain womenin cybersecurity is making us all less safe' is a best-seller.

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