I recently heard an insightful recommendation when you find yourself saying or thinking “I just didn’t have time for that.” Replace this language with “I just didn’t make that a priority.” The shift in messaging is powerful.

We all have the same amount of time. The choices we make on what we prioritize determine what we accomplish each day. When I choose to prioritize something today, I work on it early and I ensure I complete it. When I end a day with something not completed, I chose not to prioritize it.

Changing how you frame time versus priorities helps me even with my internal monologue. If I say to myself “I didn’t make writing to my blog a priority” it more accurately reflects my ownership of the choice. I am more likely to change my behavior if that statement doesn’t reflect the values I want to embody.

Imagine using this same language out loud with others. This tactic is a little riskier. Imagine if you said to your peer “I chose to not prioritize this initiative of yours.” While accurate it may not send the message you want. I find it useful to contextualize the relative prioritization. “I prioritized this initiative over the other one this week.” Assuming the organization gains more value from your choice, you should have no trouble vocalizing this choice.

Examine your time in terms of your choices. We so often get away with saying “I didn’t have time” when in reality we chose to prioritize something else. Consider changing your inner discussion and pressure test the prioritization that comes with the statement “I didn’t have time.”