“Never enough ‘time’ ”

What is time? Sounds like an easy question, but try defining it without using the word [time] in the definition.

Time is defined as…

Not as easy as first assumed. Interesting we should spend so much “time” thinking about, and worrying about, something we can hardly define in any certain terms.

So what is time?

time noun \ˈtīm\

: the thing that is measured as seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, etc.

: a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar

: the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues

: a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future

: a historical period

: a division of geologic chronology

: finite as contrasted with infinite duration

So, now that we have that cleared up…or do we? What are those definitions really saying? And, more importantly when we use the word ‘time’ are we using it accurately – to it’s intended definition – or are we really saying something else? Let’s look at two examples of common phrases utilizing time and figure out what we are really saying.

I don’t have ‘time’

Sometimes this phrase is used correctly. When we have already allotted all our seconds, minutes, hours, etc. to other activities we truly ‘don’t have time.’ The questions I would ask, however, is how often this is really true? And when we use this phrase are we really saying we don’t have the “seconds, minutes, hours, etc.” to dedicate?

Where this phrase becomes dangerous is when we use it to pass blame and absolve ourselves of responsibility.

“I don’t have time” becomes, “It’s time’s fault [not mine] I can’t add something else to my schedule.”

Suddenly it is not our fault we don’t have time; I am not to blame. You can’t be mad at me; I have no say in the matter. We speak the phrase in hopes we convey the idea “I would love to, really, time just won’t give me the opportunity.”

But let’s think about it. Do we ever not have the time to do what we really WANT to do? If something is important enough to us don’t we “find time” or “make time?”

Are we really trying to avoid having to say:

“I don’t want to.”

“I’m not interested.”

“It’s not something that matters enough to me to give my time”

All of these statements require us to admit the truth (both to the other party and to ourselves), accept our real motivations, and take responsibility for the outcomes. If I choose not to give my time, I must accept the results, or lack there of as being partly my doing.

That’s going to take so much ‘time’

For me, this is the biggest red herring of time. When we go off of the actual definition, all we are doing is stating the obvious. What we are speaking of will – in fact – take a substantial amount of ‘seconds, minutes, hours, etc.’ and will be a ‘measurable period during with the action will exist.’

In truth, when we use this phrase we’re not actually speaking of ‘time’ at all.  Again, we are passing the blame and responsibility to avoid the truth we don’t want to speak.

Uncomfortable Truth #1:

This is going to take so much effort I really don’t want to give.

ef·fort noun \ˈe-fərt, -ˌfȯrt\

: work done by the mind or body : energy used to do something

: a serious attempt to do something

: something produced by work

: conscious exertion of power

: something produced by exertion or trying

Uncomfortable Truth #2:

This is going to take so much commitment and I don’t want to make a commitment that long.

com·mit·ment noun \kə-ˈmit-mənt\

: a promise to do or give something

: a promise to be loyal to someone or something

: something pledged

: the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled

In both these phrases we are using the word “time” as a substitute for another, as a scapegoat to avoid an uncomfortable truth, and as an excuse not do things we wish to not do.

* I feel it important to note that while writing this article I came across my own time issues. I began it with plenty of time to finish and submit before the publication deadline I was under. I then successfully missed the deadline, having not finished the article. I will not say I ran out of time because that would be a false statement. What I must admit to is that I forgot about it, and when I did remember I chose to put other things first. That being said, in the end it was important enough to me to dedicate the time to completing it. And I’m happy I did.