How to Make Room for What Really Matters in Your Life

Read time: 3.5 minutes

You don’t need to fill every hour of your day to feel productive.

Most of us believe that the more we do, the more we accomplish. But here’s the truth: when your day is packed with endless tasks and busywork, there’s no room left for what really matters.

I’ve been there—and if I’m honest, I still slip into this habit sometimes. Waking up with a long to-do list, running from one task to the next, only to end the day feeling like I didn’t make any real progress. It’s frustrating. And if you’re like me, you probably wonder why you feel so drained despite constantly being busy.

The problem? You’re not leaving space for the things that bring value and fulfillment to your life.

That’s what we’re going to dive into today.

How do you make time for what matters most? How do you break free from your schedule and start making intentional choices that align with your values?

By the end of this, you’ll have a simple reminder to make room for what matters—because sometimes, we already know what to do. We just need to actually do it.

Let’s dive in.

Why We’re Always So Busy

Most of us have been taught that the key to success is to stay busy. We’re told to hustle, grind, and keep adding more. The busier we are, the more accomplished we should feel, right?

But here’s the thing: more often than not, all that busyness leaves us feeling drained, not fulfilled.

We spend our days juggling tasks—yet at the end of the day, it’s hard to point to anything that felt meaningful.

And that’s the problem.

What Actually Matters?

Before making room for what’s important, you must figure out what that is.

And this sounds simple, but it’s harder than you think. With so many demands on your time, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters to you.

So, let’s take a moment to pause. What’s one thing you’ve been pushing aside, telling yourself you’ll get to “someday”? Maybe it’s time with your family, a passion project, or just time for yourself.

Write it down.

This is where it starts.

You can’t make room for what matters if you’re not clear on what those things are. And once you know, spotting things that don’t deserve your time and attention becomes easier.

Bonus exercise: If you want to spend a bit more time on this, my core values worksheet is a great resource.

The Power of Saying No

One of the hardest things to do, but also one of the most powerful, is learning to say no.

I used to say yes to everything—every opportunity, every project. I thought the more I took on, the more valuable I’d be (as a creator, entrepreneur, husband, and father). But all it did was leave me overwhelmed, overworked, and over it.

Saying no is how you take back control of your time. It’s about making sure what fills your day aligns with what matters most to you—not what’s convenient for others.

Here’s your challenge: next time you’re asked to do something that doesn’t move you closer to what matters, say no.

Each no creates space for what truly deserves your attention. And with your time and focus no longer scattered, you’ll find yourself moving the needle on projects faster and with more impact.

Make Time for What Matters

Now that you know what’s important and have started saying no, it’s time to make sure you schedule time for the things that matter.

Because here’s the truth: if it’s not on your calendar, it’s probably not going to happen.

I’m guilty of thinking, “I’ll get to that when I have time.”

Spoiler alert: I never had time—I had to make it. So I started blocking off time each day for deep work and activities that truly align with my values—whether that’s working out, spending time with family, or even just giving myself room to breathe.

It doesn’t have to be a huge chunk of time, either. Start by blocking out just 15 minutes each day. The important thing is that you’re being intentional with how you use that time.

And once you start doing this regularly, you’ll notice a shift. Your days will feel less cluttered, and you’ll finally have the room to focus on what truly matters to you.

So, as you prepare for the week ahead, I want you to remember this: you don’t need to do everything. You just need to be intentional about what you are doing.

It’s not about cramming more into your day—it’s about making space for what matters most to you in work and life. Start small, be intentional, and you’ll feel the difference.

See you next Sunday, my friend!