Do You Really Think Time Management Is A Problem?
“Time management is not a problem,” I recently heard in an audiobook by Steve Chandler (yes, I know, I mention him quite often). Initially, I was skeptical, especially considering my own experience as a mother of two young children, running my own business, and with plenty of hobbies on the side, including an active social life. It certainly feels like time management is a challenge when so much is on your plate.
As I continued listening, Steve Chandler explained that if you truly want something, you'll find a way to accomplish it. In essence, time management isn’t the real issue; desire—or the lack of desire—is.
He illustrated this with an example of someone with a demanding full-time job who desperately wanted to write a book. Every single day, without exception, this person would wake up at 4 a.m. and write for two hours before anyone else was awake. His deep desire made time management irrelevant.
This realization struck a chord with me, making me reflect on why I never took my photography to the next level. Photography had always been more than just a hobby to me, and I “knew” it was just a matter of time until it became my true calling. But despite having a passion for it since my youth and constantly hearing I had the talent and eye for it, I never progressed beyond irregular freelance gigs on the side. The “just a matter of time” never arrived.
I used to justify this by saying I didn’t have the time, that my demanding job left little room for anything else. But deep down, I was lying to myself. The truth was simple: The real problem was my lack of desire. For years, I avoided admitting this to myself, especially when others would ask when I’d become a full-time photographer or do more than just the occasional shoot. It was uncomfortable to admit that this wasn’t what I truly wanted.
When I asked myself if I was ready to do whatever it took to elevate my photography, I couldn’t find the motivation. The thought of pitching my services, networking, and actively finding clients felt exhausting before I even had begun. I realized that I didn’t want it badly enough.
It wasn't time management that was holding me back—it was the lack of desire. A great hobby, yes, but, ultimately, nothing more than just that. At least for now.
In contrast, building my coaching business now feels completely different. Why? Because there's a strong desire.
So sometimes, when we think we want something but struggle to find time within our allotted 24 hours a day, it's worth pausing and asking ourselves, Is the desire genuinely there? If not, it might be time to explore something else that ignites that passion—something that makes finding the time feel almost effortless.
