I Don’t Have Time: How to Find More Time in Your Life

Do you struggle with time management? If so, you're not alone. I'm right there with you. We're all trying to be a spouse, a parent, a worker, a friend, and even find time for ourselves. And for many of us, it feels like we just don't have enough hours in the day to do it all.

We've all heard the saying that time is the one thing we can't make more of. We can make more money, eat more food, or find more friends. But time is finite. Once a moment is gone, it's gone for good. This feeling of scarcity can be overwhelming, but I’ve learned that the key isn’t to find more time but to use the time we have more effectively.

In fact, I'm doing just that as I record this. I just finished a run, and I’m taking a few extra minutes to create this video for you. I don’t believe in multitasking—it's impossible to have a good run and simultaneously shoot a video—but I do believe in intentionality. So, instead of trying to do everything at once, I'm finding ways to combine things I love.

Here are a few suggestions to help you find and use more time in your life.

Start Small and Build Momentum

Maybe you want to start exercising more, but you just don't have the time. My challenge to you is to start with a small, manageable commitment. Try waking up just 15 minutes earlier than you normally do. You probably won't be able to run four miles in 15 minutes, but that's okay. The goal is to build a habit.

After a week or two, if that feels good, bump it up by five minutes. A few weeks later, add another five minutes, and keep going until you reach a point where you can get in that three- or four-mile run. By starting small, you build confidence and momentum without feeling overwhelmed.

What if mornings aren't your thing? Maybe you can use your lunch break to get a workout in, or perhaps you can exercise at night. I know the common excuse is, "I don't have the energy at night," and I get it. But think about what you're doing during the day that might be draining you. Is it your diet? Are you getting enough rest? A 10- or 15-minute cat nap on your lunch break might give you the energy boost you need to get things done later in the evening. By making small adjustments to your daily routine, you can create more time for the things you want to do.

Use AI to Your Advantage

This might sound a little strange, but one thing that has been a huge time-saver for us is using artificial intelligence, or AI. There's a free tool called ChatGPT that is a game-changer. I use it for everything.

The other night, my wife and I wanted to recreate a meal we had on a date many years ago. We found the meal on an old restaurant menu, but it didn't have the recipe. So we typed the ingredients into ChatGPT and asked it to create a recipe for us, complete with specific details on how to prepare it. Within seconds, it gave us a full recipe. It was an amazing time-saver that helped us relive a fun memory from our past.

AI can be a great tool for helping you find ideas to use your time more wisely. It can help you organize a schedule, meal plan, or even find time-saving hacks for household chores. If you're new to AI, just start with a simple question and see what it can do for you.

The Most Important Thing

It’s not easy to find the time to be a good spouse, parent, friend, worker, and still take care of yourself. I know it's a struggle. But I hope this gives you some encouragement and a few ideas you can try.

And as you look for ways to save time in other areas of your life, remember the most important thing of all: to use that time for what really matters. Use it to connect more with your spouse, your family, and especially with God. Taking a moment each day to connect with Him can change your perspective and help you feel less overwhelmed.