“Time is a created thing.
To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.'”
— Lao Tzu
It’s strange the lies we tell ourselves.
One of the big ones is that we just don’t have time for what really matters most.”
But time isn’t something you stumble across, tucked away in the corner of your day. You have to make it, create it —deliberately, consciously.
Here’s the paradox: the secret to making time is slowing down.
You don’t cram more in. You don’t say yes to every request. You create your day with deliberate intention, cutting away the unnecessary with bold, decisive strokes – like an inner warrior wielding their sword.
You become ruthless—not in a cold, unkind way, but with what I’d call a purposeful edge.
Why do we let our calendars overwhelm us? Why do we let others fill our days with requests, interruptions, and endless to-dos? Why do we let others’ chaotic and reactive approach derail our days?
The answer is almost always some version of people-pleasing. The need to win approval, to feel liked to avoid discomfort. But this comes from a lack of awareness. Awareness of what’s going on inside us – how our thinking drives our behaviour.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger time thief than people-pleasing.
It pulls you in a dozen directions at once:
The result?
Your own priorities get pushed to the back burner—again.
There are many possible forumlae for success, but there is a surefire way to failure: Trying to please everybody.
Most people I know wouldn’t consider themselves people-pleasers but if you watch their behaviour closely you will inevitably see it show up somewhere in their work or life.
If you can catch it and then let go of the need to please, something extraordinary happens.
You stop bending your life around other people’s expectations. You reclaim your energy, your focus, your freedom. You start creating days that reflect your priorities, not someone else’s. You start wielding your inner warrior sword—not to harm, but to clear a path. You cut away the clutter, the distractions, and most importantly, the automatic, fear-based thoughts that steal energy and joy.
What’s left?
A timeless space.
A day filled with presence and creation. A day where you make time for what truly matters – in all aspects of your life.
This week, watch yourself a little more closely to see where ‘people-pleasing’ creeps in, and see where you can wield your own inner time-sword.
Best,
Shane
The Inner Edge Podcast – Most Recent Episode:
Ep 209: Killing The Green Eyed Monster
Listen on my website here or on all major podcasting platforms.
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