As I sit here staring at a blank screen and blinking cursor, I’m wondering how creatives deal with feeling uninspired. I like to stay consistent and bring you content every week, and share something meaningful for my Thoughtful Thursday series, but the reality is sometimes I’m feeling uninspired.

A friend shared a Jim Rohn quote with me recently and I shared that quote on Instagram. It says, “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” And when I shared this quote I was thinking it would be a great topic to share on Thursday. But the truth is, I’m wondering if I’m not the best person to deliver this message. I felt uninspired because I was feeling like a fraud. I was feeling like someone who is out of touch with what most people experience day to day. Let me explain.

I do agree with this quote 100%! I think a lot of people make excuses for their choices in life. They say they don’t have the time or the money to do certain things. To get in shape, to eat healthy, to get out of debt, to travel… and many more examples. I think the reality is, it’s about priorities more than it is about what we can or can’t do. We all have different values and priorities. Instead of saying I don’t have the time to do X, Y, Z we should be saying that is not something I value so I’m not prioritizing that in my life right now.

I hesitated to share this message because I am at a unique place in life right now. I recognize that I have more time margin and probably more disposable income than the average person in America. This makes it easier for me to prioritize things that other people who have to allocate their time towards work or taking care of young kids could not. I feel like because of this, it’s hard for me to deliver this message. I feel like I would be met with, but you don’t know what MY situation is like. And that is true. I will say this is just a snapshot of my life right now – a small snapshot compared to my 51 years of life. I have definitely experienced busier seasons in life, but even in those seasons I was able to prioritize what was important to me.

Exercise is a great example. This is something that I have always prioritized. I started running when I was 11 years old and basically prioritized health and fitness ever since. Through my college years, through 3 pregnancies, even in the busiest season in my life with all three of my kids in school and after school activities while I was working a part time job and dedicating time towards volunteering with two non for profit organizations! If you really want to do something, you will find a way!

One thing this quote made me evaluate is how I am actually spending my time and money. If you have been around long enough, you know I am someone who is regularly evaluating my behavior and my habits and determining if there are things I need to do differently. This quote reminded me that any time I think or say “I don’t have time for…” or “I don’t have money for…” what I really need to say is that I am not prioritizing that thing. If that makes me feel uncomfortable, then I want to reevaluate my priorities and values. An easy way to determine this is to look at your bank statement. That will quickly show you what you value. You could keep a log or to-do list of what you get done each day, this will also give you a picture of your values and priorities.

I didn’t want to sound harsh, insensitive, or out of touch when sharing this with you, but I will remind you that often I share these messages just as much for me as for you! I’m challenging myself, along with you, to start rephrasing when you don’t want to do something by saying, “I don’t prioritize that” or “I don’t value that.” If it makes us uncomfortable, then we need to evaluate our priorities!