We’ve all said it..............“I’d love to get to that, but I don’t have time.”
Whether it’s reviewing internal processes, upgrading software, onboarding new systems, or simply stepping back to think strategically — the phrase rolls off the tongue almost automatically.
But here’s the hard truth: “I don’t have time” can quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
When you constantly feel like you’re running at full speed, the idea of making time for something new feels impossible. So, you keep your head down and focus on the day-to-day. Ironically, it’s this very cycle that keeps you stuck. You never get the chance to make improvements because you’re too busy fighting fires to prevent them in the first place.
Over time, what started as a temporary stretch becomes your new normal. Systems stay inefficient. Workarounds become permanent. Bottlenecks go unchallenged. And yet, you still don’t have time.
In short: the longer you operate in this state, the more entrenched it becomes. You’re too busy to change — and because you don’t change, you stay too busy.
You wouldn’t run a business without tracking finances. You wouldn’t hire staff without reviewing performance. But many businesses never audit how their team’s time is actually being used. The assumption is: "We’re busy, so we must be productive." But busyness doesn’t equal progress — it can just as easily mean waste.
Breaking the cycle starts by doing something different — and often, that means bringing in a fresh pair of eyes. At Maru, we help you step back and take stock of where your time (and your team’s time) is really going. Not theoretically — practically. Through interviews, process mapping, and simple automation reviews, we identify hidden inefficiencies, duplication of effort, and areas where technology could be doing the heavy lifting.
And the outcome? Clarity. Headroom. Relief.
In short: Saying "I don’t have time" might feel like the truth, but if you never challenge it, it becomes your reality.