Hello Reader,

This week, and on multiple occasions, I read something that I find both totally understandable and puzzling at the same time:

"I'm too busy to prepare for the CELPIP, and my exam is in a few days. Any tips?"

Understandable:

Being too busy seems like normal these days. I would even describe myself as being too busy.

Too busy to consistently tackle the things that matter to me - or that I think or say matter to me.

Sometimes it has been my dearest relationships.

Often it has been not making enough time to work on finishing my novel that I have been working on for the past 12+ years. (And I'm excited to report that I finally did finish it about two weeks ago.) But now comes the real hard part: editing, and I've had little time to devout to it.

Other times it has been making time to create this newsletter that you're reading, or the podcast.

There's always something. I feel like I'm always busy.

So I get where those CELPIP preppers are coming from when they say, "I don't have time to prep, my exam is in a few days. What do I do?"

I really do get that feeling, because I'm there too.

And I am gently reminding myself of the exact same thing that I am sharing now with you if not having enough time to consistently do what matters has also been your struggle:

I need to remember that for the most part, I am in charge of my choices.

How I spend my time reveals what my priorities really are.

If the way I use my time is not consistent with my priorities (or what I think my priorities are) then it's up to me to change what I am doing so that they actually do line up.

Right?

Or, maybe it's time for me to update my priorities.

I don't think this is once and you're done.

Priorities drift in seasons of being busy, and I need to constantly remind myself that it's my job to get back on course - at least with the things and people that matter most to me.

Puzzling?

And that is the puzzling part.

I'm not writing about me to make this all about me. Nope. I share a tiny bit about my priority struggles so that if you find yourself stuck in the same battle of your own, you'll know you're not alone.

It puzzles me to no end when my actions don't always line up with what matters to me. Puzzles me greatly! (And frustrates me, too!)

And maybe the small little pep talk I wrote above, talking to myself, might encourage you:

To remember that we get to choose what we do with great parts of our day. Are our actions in line with what we say matters?

If not...we also get to change what we do. Or we get to change our priorities.

Do you agree?