Why You Never Have Enough Time

Overview

This episode explores the pervasive feeling of time scarcity, revealing how emotional overwhelm and lack of presence contribute to the sensation of never having enough time. Brett and Joe discuss practical strategies to shift perceptions of time, emphasizing the importance of rest, integration, and emotional awareness.

Notable Quotes

- With time urgency, we're trading our life in the moment for an outcome that never really shows up. — Joe Hudson, on the illusion of productivity through stress.

- If you don’t have time to meditate for 20 minutes, meditate for an hour. — Brett Kistler, highlighting the paradox of time scarcity.

- 80% of society feels time scarcity. You could just also say 80% of society is not present most of their time. — Joe Hudson, connecting time scarcity to societal disconnection.

🕰️ The Paradox of Time-Saving Tools

- Despite technological advancements like AI and automation, people still feel time-starved. Joe Hudson notes that even when executives save hours through optimized meetings, they still perceive themselves as busy.

- The mindset of time scarcity persists because saved time is often filled with other tasks or distractions, such as social media or entertainment.

🌪️ Emotional Overwhelm and Time Scarcity

- Time scarcity often stems from emotional overwhelm rather than actual lack of hours. Joe Hudson explains how stress, negative self-talk, and avoidance of emotions create a cycle of urgency.

- Emotional debt compounds over time, leading to chronic stress. Sometimes, resolving this requires simple actions like a 10-minute cry rather than prolonged avoidance.

🌊 Presence and Flow States

- Presence eliminates the feeling of time scarcity. Activities like sports or creative work immerse individuals in the moment, creating flow states where time feels irrelevant.

- Joe Hudson emphasizes that flow states are more productive and fulfilling than multitasking or rushing through tasks.

🛌 Rest and Integration as Productivity Tools

- Rest and integration between tasks are crucial for reducing stress and increasing efficiency. Joe Hudson shares strategies like avoiding back-to-back meetings and taking time to process actions after each meeting.

- Historical shifts in how humans perceive time, such as the introduction of clocks, have contributed to modern urgency. Returning to natural rhythms can alleviate this pressure.

💡 Practical Steps to Combat Time Scarcity

- Take five minutes every two hours to do absolutely nothing, allowing for rest and presence.

- Shift focus from managing time to investing time wisely, such as planting time seeds that save effort in the future.

- Recognize that slowing down often leads to faster and better outcomes, as demonstrated by studies on multitasking and urgency.