I Do Not Have Time
This week I made a snap decision that led to actions that created a poor outcome for me. The thought “I do not have time to deal with this this week “ meant I did not seek out medical attention in a timely manner. I now have a splint, a 10 day course of antibiotics every six hours and no water play till I heal.
I will get to “the incident “in just a bit. There is more behind this concept of not enough time that warrants some discussion. What exactly does “I do not have time to deal within this “ mean? Why do we think it? Is it true?
In looking back at the times I have used it, I believe for it has been an excuse to not do something that I did not want to do. This sentence allows me to easily take a pass on whatever the action needed is. It’s a “ I do not have to do this because do not have time to”. What makes this thought process risky is that it halts the need to ask yourself “what could happen if I do not take the unwanted action?” Can you see the path? Have you ever asked yourself or someone else , “what were you thinking “? Spoiler alert, they were not thinking.
Okay you have been patient. Here is the details of “ the incident “. I was doing my Monday morning work out at Orange Theory. When putting down a 25 lbs dumbbell so that I could pick up a 20 lbs dumbbell, I did not turn my head to look at what my hands were doing. I did not remember that the weights were close to the bench. I put the heavy weight down with my finger in the path of the lighter weight essentially crushing my finger between the two dumbbells. It hurt. It really hurt. But more importantly it made me super mad-at myself for being so careless. For not paying attention. Mean Kim took the lead, loving care and concern did not have a chance. I rinsed my finger, wrapped it up, got an ice pack and carried on with my workout. After my workout, I cleaned up, re-covered up my finger and went to work. Guiding all of it was “ you deserve what you got and you cannot cancel on clients to go to urgent care”. Yep, not good. It throbbed all day, bled a little but I did ice it and keep it elevated. Tuesday morning- my finger was not feeling better. Figured I had better actually look at it. It looked horrible. Good size gash, swollen and navy blue in color.
I got dressed and went to Urgent Care as soon as they opened. X-ray and thorough examination were done. Diagnosis by a very kind emergency room doctor was open fracture of the metacarpal. Because I waited, stitches were not an option for me. Because I said “I do not have for this” I put myself at risk for infection. Rather than a few stitches, my only option is high dose antibiotics and no getting it wet. I did not tell you that a few days after the incident I was going to my family cottage in Nova Scotia where the activities are all water related. I opted to not share this initially because I wanted to avoid a “poor Kim” thought. I wanted you to stay with the concept of “ I do not have time “ being an excuse to not do what needs to be done and the subsequent poor outcome it can create. There are a few takeaways for you from my story, maybe one will stick and it’s the very thing that creates a good outcome for you.
If you hear yourself thinking “ I do not have time to deal with this right now “.
Stop what you are doing and ask questions, here’s some that might help:
1) Is it true ?
2) What could happen if I do not take the time to deal with it?
3) Would I tell someone else to not do what I am telling myself I do not have time to do?
4) Am I worried that doing the thing will inconvenience others?
I am happy to say that my finger is healing and I am a wee bit wiser than I was 4 days ago.
Wishing you strong bones and decision making that creates beautiful healthy outcomes for you.
Kim💕
