One of the biggest myths about time often comes in the form of a judgment that sounds like this:
If you have time for X, then you have time for Y.
The implicit judgment is
You don’t have your priorities in order.
In this pattern, X is often an activity that appears to be lower value, priority, or importance than Y. At least in the opinion of the person making the statement.
That person may even be you speaking to yourself — although the judgment likely originated from someone else.
This is a persistent myth that echoes in my own mind, both about myself and about others.
One reason this myth is persistent is because it can be true in some circumstances. If you’re spending all day on the couch watching television, you probably do have time for some of the things you’re not doing.
But those situations are more rare than you think.
This judgment is rooted in an implicit belief that all time is equal, and that getting things done is merely a matter of prioritizing to fill your days with the top activities that need to get done.
That’s not the reality of how humans operate.
Getting things done is not just a function of time; it’s also a function of available energy, space, and other resources, as well as our natural rhythms. It’s also about proper sequencing.
Of course, you already know this.
You’re likely not passing judgment on yourself or others for not cleaning your house at 2 am. You recognize that this is a time to sleep.
Sometimes a task might not take a lot of time, but it requires a certain amount of energy and focus. You might not have the right energy for that task when you have the time for it.
For example, a conversation that requires presence is not well-suited to having from your car while driving.
Sometimes you know that “Y” task might not require a lot of time, but it will hijack the energy you need for other tasks — so you defer for a time when you can allocate the proper recovery time after.
Or, the “X” task might be a task that gives you the energy and focus you need for the other items on your agenda. Skipping it might technically free up time, but it won’t give you the energy you need to do the “Y” task.
All time is not equal.
Working effectively requires knowing your rhythms and energy needs, and what the best sequence is for you.
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