You don’t find time; you make time for what matters. This isn’t just a productivity tip; it’s a fundamental shift in mindset that separates those who achieve their goals from those who just talk about them. It’s about taking ownership of your 24 hours and actively building your life, brick by brick.
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Meaning
The core message is brutal but simple: Time is not a resource you stumble upon. It’s a resource you consciously create and allocate through your choices and priorities.
Explanation
Look, we’ve all said it. “I just can’t find the time.” I’ve said it. You’ve said it. But here’s the thing I’ve learned after years of coaching and building businesses: that phrase is a complete cop-out. It’s a passive way of saying, “This isn’t a priority for me right now.” When you shift your thinking from *finding* time to *making* time, you move from being a passenger in your life to the driver. You start auditing your day. That 45-minute social media scroll? That’s a choice. That extra episode on Netflix? Also a choice. Making time means looking at those pockets of lost minutes and actively deciding to trade them for something that truly matters to your future self. It’s an active, sometimes difficult, process of prioritization.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | discipline (252), priorities (22), time (59) |
| Literary Style | assertive (142), philosophical (434), succinct (151) |
| Emotion / Mood | motivating (311) |
| Overall Quote Score | 74 (80) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes directly from Michael Matthews’s 2012 fitness book, Thinner Leaner Stronger, which was published in the United States. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments attributed to other self-help gurus or even ancient philosophers, but the specific phrasing “You don’t find time; you make time…” is Matthews’s.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Matthews (111) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Thinner Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Female Body (55) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Michael Matthews writes straightforward, evidence-based fitness books and leads Legion Athletics, a supplement and education company. He connects with readers through the Muscle for Life podcast and hundreds of articles on training, nutrition, and healthy habits. He champions simple programming, high-protein diets, progressive overload, and sustainable fat loss. The Michael Matthews book list includes Bigger Leaner Stronger, Thinner Leaner Stronger, Muscle for Life, Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger, and The Shredded Chef. He continues refining his methods using new research and feedback from thousands of readers and clients.
| Official Website
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | You don’t find time; you make time for what matters |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2012; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781938895308; Last edition: 2021 Revised Edition; Number of pages: 420 |
| Where is it? | Approximate page 402, Chapter 20: The Priority Principle |