Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching, had a way of stripping excuses bare. His words challenge our mindset more than our calendar. When we say we “don’t have time,” what we really mean is that something else matters more. For a small business owner, that’s both uncomfortable and freeing — because it puts control back in our hands.
I used to tell myself I didn’t have time for exercise, planning, or learning. But the truth was, I didn’t choose to make time. Lao Tzu’s wisdom reframed that. Time isn’t found; it’s made. Once I started treating time like a decision, not a limitation, everything shifted.
A common pitfall is victim thinking — acting like time controls us. We say yes to everything and then complain there aren’t enough hours. To counter this, I began setting “non-negotiables”: time for health, relationships, and strategy. Those blocks stay even when the week gets chaotic. That’s how you prove priorities with action, not words.
Another trap is guilt. Many entrepreneurs feel bad saying no, so they overextend. Lao Tzu’s perspective helps: saying no isn’t selfish; it’s alignment. It’s the act of choosing what truly matters.
His insight is both simple and radical. Time isn’t given — it’s shaped. Every “no” we speak and every “yes” we guard defines our days. Once we see that, “I don’t have time” disappears from our vocabulary — replaced by “It’s not my priority,” which is far more honest.