You have time. You might not have capacity.

“I don’t have time for that right now.” Is something I’ve gotten used not to say as much anymore. It’s rarely true. Time is in abundance and I create it where needed.

What I don’t have in abundance, on the other hand, is bandwidth. It’s a much more scarce resource for me. Very easily explained, I have a set bandwidth. Let’s say it’s somewhere on the scale of 1 to 100 on any given day or during a given period. In periods where some of my basic needs aren’t met, I have a lower bandwidth. If I sleep poorly, the capacity is lowered.

Then, much like willpower, every task I pursue throughout the day takes bandwidth. Every project I have rolling and keep in my head takes some of that capacity. Projects or tasks that I don’t want to do, or have less enthusiasm towards for any reason, take more bandwidth. Projects, tasks or thoughts that I gain energy from increase it.

Then what I need to do is to spend more time with the projects increasing my bandwidth, in order for me to be able to do whatever I want to do.