You know, that line “It’s not about having time; it’s about making time” hits different when you’re actually drowning in tasks. It’s a mindset shift from being a victim of your calendar to becoming its architect. Let’s break down why this simple idea is so powerful.
Share Image Quote:
Table of Contents
Meaning
This quote flips the script on procrastination. It means time isn’t something you find, like loose change in a couch. It’s something you actively create through your choices and priorities.
Explanation
Here’s the real talk. We all get the same 24 hours. The difference-maker isn’t some magical “free time” that appears. Nope. It’s about consciously deciding what gets a slot in your day and what gets kicked to the curb. It’s about moving from a passive “I’m so busy” stance to an active “Here’s what I’m making time for” stance. The energy shift is everything.
Quote Summary
Reading Level35
Aesthetic Score75
Origin & Factcheck
This gem comes straight from David Allen’s 2001 productivity bible, Getting Things Done. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to anonymous sources or other gurus, but it’s pure GTD philosophy, born from Allen’s work coaching professionals in the US to clear their mental clutter.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
David Allen created the GTD methodology and helped millions organize work and life with clear, actionable steps. He began as a management consultant, refined GTD through client engagements, and published Getting Things Done in 2001, followed by Ready for Anything and Making It All Work. He founded the David Allen Company and expanded GTD training globally, later relocating to Amsterdam to support international growth. A sought-after speaker and advisor, he remains a leading voice on clarity, focus, and execution. Explore the David Allen book list for essential reads.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | It’s not about having time; it’s about making time |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2001; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0143126560; Last edition: Revised edition published 2015; Number of pages: 352. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 7: Reflecting, Approximate page 145 (2015 edition) |
Context
In the book, this isn’t just a feel-good line. It’s the core of the entire GTD methodology. Allen argues that until you make the time to get all your commitments out of your head and into a trusted system, you’ll always feel overwhelmed. You have to make time for the system to work, so it can give you back more time.
Usage Examples
So, how does this play out in real life? Let me give you a couple of scenarios.
- For the Overwhelmed Manager: Instead of saying “I don’t have time to mentor my team,” you block a “mentoring hour” on your calendar every week. You’ve just made time.
- For the Aspiring Entrepreneur: That side project never happens if you wait for a free weekend. You get up an hour earlier, three days a week. You’ve just made time.
- For Anyone, Really: Want to read more? Put the book on your bedside table and commit to 15 minutes before sleep instead of scrolling. That’s you making a choice. That’s you making time.
To whom it appeals?
| Context | Attributes |
|---|
| Theme | Advice (652) |
|---|
| Audiences | creatives (69), entrepreneurs (1006), leaders (2619), managers (441), students (3111) |
|---|
| Usage Context/Scenario | career planning workshops (5), coaching sessions (85), leadership programs (172), motivational speeches (345), personal development blogs (14), productivity talks (12), time management seminars (9) |
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share This Quote Image & Motivate
Motivation Score85
Popularity Score90
Shareability Score90
FAQ
Question: But what if I genuinely have no spare time?
Answer: This is the most common pushback. The point isn’t that you have spare time; it’s that you’re already filling your time with *something*. “Making time” means auditing your current time expenditure—like that 45 minutes on social media—and reallocating it to a higher priority.
Question: How is this different from just better time management?
Answer: Time management is often about efficiency—doing things faster. “Making time” is about effectiveness—doing the right things. It’s a strategic choice before it’s a tactical one.
Question: Can you really “make” time? It’s a fixed resource.
Answer: You’re right, you can’t create more hours in a day. But you can create more bandwidth. By getting your commitments out of your head and into a system (the core of GTD), you free up mental energy, which makes the time you have feel more expansive and under your control.
Similar Quotes
You can’t manage time, but you can absolutely manage your actions within it. This simple shift in perspective is the key to unlocking real productivity and ditching the constant feeling…
You know, I’ve come to realize that “It’s not about time management, it’s about energy management” is the real secret. We’re all obsessed with squeezing more hours out of the…
You don’t need more time; you need more focus. It’s a simple but brutal truth that flips our entire productivity struggle on its head. We’re all chasing hours, but the…
You cannot manage time; you can only manage yourself. It’s a game-changing mindset shift that reframes productivity from fighting the clock to mastering your own actions, focus, and energy. Table…
Effort is not just about working hard—it’s about working with purpose. It’s the secret sauce that separates grind from greatness. Let’s break down why this simple idea changes everything. Table…
