“I’m just too busy.”

I’m a little ashamed to admit how often I use this excuse for times when busy-ness is not really the issue.  I’m so good at using that phrase that I’ve even used variations on the “too busy” excuse.

“I know I should exercise but I just don’t know when I would find the time.” (In reality, I just didn’t want to make the time.)

“I wish I had the time to volunteer with . . . ” (But I always manage to find the time for that book I want to read, the e-mail I want to send, those Pins I want to check out.)

“Lunch?  I’d love to, but I’m really busy for the next couple of weeks so I don’t really have the time.”  (This one just means I’m being a selfish friend!)

Disclaimer – there are times that we can over commit ourselves if we don’t keep a careful eye on our schedules.  But I would bet I’m not the only person who has been guilty of using the “too busy” excuse to get away with laziness or selfishness or just not wanting to think creatively.  Some people – we call them “frustrated perfectionists” in our family – will use the “too busy” excuse to avoid the possibility that something they do will not be perfect.

If I need to exercise I can certainly get my sneakers on and walk around the block.  No, I won’t be ready for a marathon next week, but it’s more than I was doing and a step in the right direction.  Who knows?  I may feel so good after exercising that it becomes something I actually WANT to do?

If I am truly passionate and committed to a volunteer cause, I can contact someone about giving time just once in the next month.  I don’t have to jump in to a “three-times-a-week” kind of commitment if it’s unrealistic.

If a friend wants to go out to a meal and it legitimately does not work in my schedule, I can offer a coffee get-together instead.  Most of my friends would be content to meet at McDonald’s and grab sodas if the issue is budgetary!

Truth be told, I do suffer from that “frustrated perfectionist” attitude every so often.  It almost kept me from checking out a Zumba class in the area on Wednesday morning.  I didn’t want to look foolish doing a dance-based exercise program especially since I know the instructor!  But I went – thanks to the encouragement of my 17 year old daughter – and I’m so glad I did!  Not only is the first class you attend free, it was a great way to start my day and I don’t remember the last time I felt so energized!

So with a careful eye on my calendar, I will try to save the phrase “I’m too busy” for those times when that is indeed the case.