You don't have time - you take time

A widespread phenomenon in our society is the feeling of not having enough time. Whether I'm working on a project at a company, meeting my best friends for coffee, chatting with a neighbor while shopping, or calling a hotline for information – I hear the phrase "I don't have enough time" over and over again.

These statements are understandable: Project deadlines are often set without considering unforeseen events, and employees have to manage the projects alongside their daily business. Many of my friends are working mothers, lead active social lives, and are also active on social media. Hotline metrics are also often tied to the number of calls and speed of problem resolution, which means that as a customer, I have only a limited amount of time at my disposal.

The consequences are serious: burned-out and unmotivated employees, as well as managers who react with sickness absence and burnout. A similar picture emerges in the private sphere: Outwardly perceived as "superhuman," many are internally stressed and unbalanced, constantly under pressure, and already thinking about the next topic.

Whether in my professional or private life – when I pause and simply listen, I always hear the same answer: “You don’t have time – you take time.”

Let's face it: When we don't take the time we need in our work or personal lives, the consequences are obvious. Project deadlines have to be postponed, families require external support, and hotlines experience high recruitment costs due to employee dropouts. What is often recognized too late, however, are interpersonal relationships, employee appreciation, our own inner balance, and ultimately our health.

Taking time off seems to be a societal problem. If managers don't have an overflowing agenda, it might create the impression that they aren't as important as they thought. If a mother misses coffee or only works part-time, she's often perceived as "disorganized" or "unresilient." A similar situation occurs with hotline employees who can't complete their cases within the allotted time to meet company targets.

Are there really so many people who can deliver top performances on so many stages at any time, despite not having enough time? Or are we puppets controlled by those around us because we ourselves are incapable of managing our time wisely? Isn't it rather a bad habit to "not have time"? Haven't we forgotten what it's really all about?

Taking your time is easier than you think! If we pause and honestly ask ourselves what is really important, where we can make a contribution and create added value, what fulfills us and what stresses us, then we can quickly find some appointments that we can delete from our agenda.

Focus, conscious presence, and boundaries are qualities that are often neglected. However, when we act accordingly, we are able to take control of our own lives. We cultivate appreciation for the issues and people around us and learn to simply pause, breathe in and out, and do nothing for a moment. Along the way, we save money and feel better. The response to this is self-determination, balance, and external appreciation.