The Time Trap: How Time Can Be Your Enemy (Or Your Greatest Ally)
Written By Salvatore Iacona
Welcome back!
Let’s be honest—how often do you feel like there’s never enough time?
Maybe you’ve caught yourself saying:
"I’ll start tomorrow."
"I wish I had more time."
"Where did the day go?"
And before you know it, another week, another month — another year — has passed. The dreams you wanted to chase, the changes you wanted to make, they’re still on hold.
Time, my friend, is tricky. It can work for you or against you.
If you’re not careful, it becomes your enemy — stealing your days, making you feel stuck, rushing you forward before you’re ready. But if you take control? It becomes your greatest tool.
Why Does Time Feel Like It’s Slipping Away?
Here’s the truth: You don’t lack time. You lack direction.
Think about this — everyone gets the same 24 hours. The difference between those who build incredible lives and those who stay stuck isn’t luck, intelligence, or resources.
It’s how they use their time.
Some people take small, meaningful actions every day, while others let hours pass by on distractions, procrastination, and routines that don’t serve them.
I know this because I used to be stuck in the same cycle
I used to tell myself I had time. Plenty of it. “I’ll start tomorrow,” I’d say. “I’ll figure it out soon.” But soon turned into weeks, then months. And before I knew it, another year had passed, and I was still in the same place, stuck in the same habits, waiting for the “right time” to change.
But here’s the brutal truth: Time doesn’t wait for anyone.
The Illusion of Having Enough Time
I remember a phase in my life when my routine was completely out of sync.
I worked late shifts, coming home at 1:00 AM, telling myself I needed to unwind. So, I’d stay up until 3:00 AM, watching series, scrolling through my phone, eating junk food—convincing myself that this was my “relaxation” time. Then I’d wake up at 11:00 AM, already behind on the day, rushing to get ready for work.
And just like that, the cycle repeated.
I wasn’t really living—I was just moving through time, letting the hours slip through my fingers.
I kept making excuses. “I don’t have time to start something new.” But the reality? I had time. I just wasn’t using it right.
The Moment I Realized Time Was Controlling Me
One day, I looked at the calendar and felt a wave of panic.
An entire year had passed, and nothing had changed. I wasn’t closer to my goals, my energy was drained, and I felt like I was stuck in an endless loop. The worst part? No one was forcing me into this cycle—I was doing it to myself.
I had always seen time as something I’d manage later. But now I understood — time was managing me. It was moving forward, whether I was ready or not.
That thought hit me hard.
I knew I had two choices:
Keep going as I was, letting time slip away.
Take control and make my time matter.
Breaking the Cycle: Time Became My Ally
I wish I could say that I changed everything overnight. That I woke up one morning, completely transformed.
I didn’t.
At first, I struggled. It felt unnatural to break my routine. But I started small—waking up just 30 minutes earlier, choosing one thing to do differently each day. I became more aware of how I was spending my hours.
And slowly, things started shifting.
I stopped seeing time as a limit and started using it as an opportunity. Instead of letting it control me, I began to own it.
Now, when I look at the clock, I don’t feel like it’s my enemy anymore. I see it as a reminder:
You can waste this moment, or you can use it to build the life you want.
How to Make Time Work for You (Instead of Against You)
If you’ve ever felt like time is slipping through your fingers, here’s how to take it back:
1. Change Your Relationship with Time
Instead of thinking, “I don’t have time,” start saying:
“I will make time for what truly matters.”
“Every second is a choice—I decide how to use it.”
You’ll be amazed how powerful this shift is.
2. The Time Audit – Where Is Your Time Really Going?
For the next three days, track your time. Write down how you spend every hour.
Do you:
Spend too much time on social media?
Procrastinate on important tasks?
Say “yes” to things that don’t align with your goals?
Most people realize they’re losing 2-4 hours a day on things that don’t serve them. Imagine what you could do with that time!
3. The Power of Micro-Wins
Stop waiting for huge blocks of free time. Success happens in the small moments.
10 minutes of exercise is better than waiting for a “perfect gym day.”
15 minutes of reading is better than “someday I’ll start.”
20 minutes of focused work is better than avoiding a big project.
Big results come from small, consistent actions.
4. Master Your Mornings (And Take Back Your Day)
How you start your day determines how you use your time.
Wake up with intention—not scrolling on your phone.
Take 10 minutes to plan your priorities.
Do something meaningful early (even if it’s small).
When you own your morning, you own your day.
5. The 80/20 Rule: Focus on What Truly Matters
80% of your results come from 20% of your actions.
That means:
Not everything you do is equally important.
Focus on the tasks that create the biggest impact.
Eliminate or delegate what doesn’t serve your goals.
If you master this, you master time.
Your Challenge: Win the Next 24 Hours
If time has been your enemy, it’s time to take control.
For the next 24 hours:
Track your time – Write down where every hour goes.
Eliminate 1 time-waster – Cut out something that isn’t serving you.
Take one action toward a goal – Even if it’s small, do something meaningful.
The goal isn’t to be perfect — it’s to be intentional.
Final Thoughts: Time is Your Power
You don’t need more time. You need to use it differently.
Stop waiting. Start doing.
Stop making excuses. Start making progress.
Stop letting time control you. Start owning your hours.
Because the truth is: The way you use your time determines the life you create.
And your time starts NOW.