Intentionality: No more excuses

I have noticed a common theme in my life recently, usually something to the effect of “I wish I could,” “I really want to” or “I just don’t have the time.” That is not to say that these statements are wrong. I mean, I am a college student. However, I have been reflecting recently on all the things that are important to me, but I never seem to have the time for. 

For instance, I have always been an avid reader. Nevertheless, since starting college, I have read less and less. It is not that I don’t want to read, it just seems like I never have the time. Likewise, I want to devote more time to God throughout my day. But, each day runs away with itself, seemingly leaving nothing more than a few minutes for God between getting into bed and falling asleep. I am sure many of you can relate, whether it is wanting to improve grades, exercise more, do community service and outreach, grow relationships, learn a new skill, etc. 

When thinking about this conundrum in my own life, the common excuse that I fall back on is “I don’t have time.” And that excuse has seemed to work for a long time. However, recently it hasn’t been. Maybe it is because when I get the screen-time report from my phone each Sunday afternoon, it gives me an embarrassing summary of the amount of time I have spent scrolling that week. Hours I could have spent doing those other things that are more important to me. Or maybe it is because I have been remembering something that my mom has taped to her office wall: “If it is important to you, you will find a way. If it isn’t, you will find an excuse.” 

There are a lot of very important things vying for our attention. The list seems never ending! Nevertheless, at least in my own case, I have somehow found hours of time to scroll through my social media, something that isn’t on my list of “wish I coulds” or “want tos.” What is the answer? Intentionality. Intentionality is defined as being “deliberate or purposeful.” If something, like reading or spending time with God, is truly important to me, I have to be intentional about it. I have to stop making excuses and start finding ways. Maybe that means I take a book along with me so that in my spare minutes I read instead of scrolling. Or, carving out specific time for God each night. 

Regardless of what it is, I think it really does boil down to being deliberate and purposeful about finding ways to do the things that are important to you, rather than finding excuses. 

So, what is important to you? What is something that truly matters? I challenge you to be intentional and find ways to make those “wish I clouds” and “want tos” a reality. 

By Hannah Olin