Focus now so that you can have time later. Tim Grover, in his book Winning, writes that focus is for you and time is for others. This statement resonated deeply with me this morning. I woke up a little earlier than usual, sat down, and immediately started worrying about the scarcity of time. It seems that no matter how early I rise, there's always too much to do and too little time to do it, which heightens my anxiety and stress levels. I feel like I just can't get it all done.
This scarcity mentality makes time seem to fly by because I'm fixated on it instead of managing my focus. I end up overcorrecting by shortchanging other important aspects of my life. Tim Grover emphasizes managing your focus, not your time. Time is scarce, but focus is abundant. When you manage your time, there will never be enough of it, leading you to steal from other areas like sleep, relationships, health, or your professional career. This lack of devotion weakens those areas, too.
To have a balanced life, you need to manage your focus, which will always ensure there's enough time. It's not about the amount of time you spend but the focus you bring to that time. In The Gift of Failure, Ari Rastager discusses the seesaw effect. Imagine a seesaw: when one side is up, you're 100% focused on the task at hand, making you impactful in that moment and freeing you up to be present for the next situation.
Stop focusing on the scarcity of time and create abundance instead. Accept that you'll never reach inbox zero; when there's nothing to do, you fill the void with busyness. Managing your focus creates more time, leading to margin. Slow and steady wins the round. By "slow," I mean purposeful, and "steady" means constant discipline. I prefer the term "round" because this isn't a race; it's a round, like a game of golf. You might blow one hole, but you can still win the round. It's about overcoming setbacks and focusing on the next challenge.
Golf is a game of efficiency, and the same is true for life. The more efficient and focused you are, the more energy and time you create. This efficiency puts you in a better position to succeed and provides you with the margin—time—to enjoy your success.
Instead of wishing for someone else's life, recognize that you have abundance now. Focus on a few things that bring maximum impact and energy. For me, it's reading in the morning, writing at least one page, working out, and sharing. I mentor and share my experiences not just for myself but also for others who might benefit.
That focus creates more time. On days when everything flows well, you get a lot done and still have time left over. This happens because you didn't attach any negative or scarce emotions to your tasks. You managed your focus and transitioned smoothly between different segments of your day.
I trust that if I'm constantly disciplined and deliberate in my focus, I will create more time to be fully present with what matters most: my family and loved ones.
Keep it simple, keep it moving, never settle, stay tough. Peace.
