Do you make time for what's most important? 

As I write this, it's almost 9 p.m. Except for a break to work out, take a shower and run some errands, I've been at my desk since 6:30 a.m. 

I have a ton of work to do on my upcoming retreats and to prepare for several presentations I need to record for some clients. The clock is ticking and I'm freaking out a little about all that needs to get done, knowing that there are only so many hours in the day. 

Several weeks ago, my Mastermind group decided to take all day tomorrow to do a mini business/career retreat. It has nothing to do with what's on my plate right now and EVERYTHING to do with my future. 

I've had a drumbeat in my head all day that goes like this "I don't have time for this. Too much to do. No time to do a retreat about the future when I have things that need to be done RIGHT NOW." 

I briefly entertained the notion of backing out, but aside from the fact that I'd made the commitment to my group, what also brought me up short was remembering an article I wrote about a year ago. The article was by Laura Vanderkam in the Wall Street Journal where she reminds us that how we use our time is always a choice. 

She suggests that rather than saying "I don't have time" for something, instead we say "That's not a priority."

 Wow. Powerful. 

Thinking of tomorrow's retreat in that way really brought me up short. Is the future of my business NOT a priority for me? Yes, I have a lot of things to do, but are they more important than doing the strategic thinking and planning necessary for my career and professional health? 

This is exactly what I talk with clients about all the time--spending too much time dealing with today and not enough time looking at the big picture and planning for an inspiring future. Because the truth is, taking a step back could give me new perspective on how to do today's work. And it gives me the space to think more strategically about what's next. The retreat would also fill me with the energy and motivation I need right now to get through all that I have on my plate. 

So when you read this, I'll be on retreat. Taking the time to do what's important, even when it feels like I don't have it. Because it's not really about lack of time It's about shifting your priorities.