Too Much to Do, Not Enough Time: How I Learned to Reclaim My Day
For years, I told myself, “I’m just too busy.” It became my automatic answer to every question: How are you? Busy. Why didn’t you call? Too busy. Want to grab lunch? Sorry, no time.
But one day, I realized something had to give. I wasn’t just busy—I was stuck in a cycle of rushing, stressing, and feeling like I could never catch up. What I didn’t realize was that the problem wasn’t the amount of time I had. It was how I was thinking about it—and how I was using it.
The Mental Block of Busyness
I used to wear my busyness like a badge of honor. It made me feel productive and important. But deep down, I wasn’t happy. I felt overwhelmed, disconnected from the people I cared about, and completely exhausted.
It took me a long time to realize that constantly saying, “I’m too busy,” wasn’t helping me—it was holding me back. My belief that there wasn’t enough time became a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I thought I was too busy to prioritize or pause, then I was.
The Turning Point
One morning, I sat at my desk staring at a to-do list that felt impossible to tackle. My chest was tight, my head was pounding, and I was convinced there was no way I’d finish everything.
But then I stopped. I thought, What if I took five minutes to figure out what really needs to get done first?
That five minutes changed everything. For the first time, I realized that half the things on my list weren’t urgent. Some of them weren’t even necessary.
What I Learned About Time
Here’s the truth: we often confuse busyness with productivity. Moving fast and doing a lot doesn’t always mean we’re moving forward.
I started to notice patterns in my behavior:
I was rushing through tasks without thinking. The faster I went, the more mistakes I made, creating more work.
I let other people’s urgency dictate my schedule. If someone else was frantic, I felt like I had to be, too.
I wasn’t giving myself credit for what I accomplished. I’d finish one thing and immediately jump to the next, never pausing to reflect or celebrate.
How I Reclaimed My Time
Here’s what worked for me—and what might work for you, too:
Challenge the “Too Busy” Mindset:
I started asking myself, Am I really too busy, or am I avoiding prioritizing? Just acknowledging this mindset helped me break free from it.Focus on What Matters Most:
Each morning, I identify three key tasks for the day. These are my non-negotiables—the things that truly matter.Build in Breaks:
I started using the Pomodoro technique (working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break). Those small pauses made a big difference in my energy and focus.Set Boundaries:
I stopped checking emails late at night and started saying “no” to tasks that didn’t align with my priorities.Celebrate Progress:
At the end of each day, I write down one thing I accomplished. It’s a small act, but it reminds me that I’m moving forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.
A New Perspective on Time
Reclaiming my time wasn’t about magically finding more hours in the day—it was about changing how I thought about those hours. I learned that time management is really about attention management. When I focus on what truly matters, time feels less like an enemy and more like an ally.
Ready to take control of your time? Download our Balance Sprint Map and start creating a day that reflects your priorities.