Here's a question that reveals everything: "What's the first thing that always gets pushed when life gets messy?"
If you're honest, it's probably the thing that matters most.
That's the real issue. You're not failing at time management. You're failing at self-trust.
Here's what happens: If your most important work is always the first to get sacrificed, you don't believe in it yet.
The pattern: People protect what they truly believe in. Everything else gets sacrificed to other people's priorities.
The deeper issue: You're not planning for reality. You're planning for a perfect world where urgent requests don't exist, energy stays consistent, and focus comes naturally.
Think about that "perfect morning routine" you've designed. Meditation, journaling, exercise, healthy breakfast. It looks great on paper.
But every week, something "comes up" and you skip it. Work emergency. Family issue. Poor sleep.
Here's the better question: "What would this routine look like if you designed it for your worst day, not your best day?"
Maybe it's five minutes of breathing and a glass of water. That's it.
Which version are you more likely to stick with?
The fix: Design a plan you'd follow even on your worst day.
Your action step:
Look at your current weekly plan
Ask: "What would I actually do if this week went sideways?"
Build your plan around THAT reality, not your optimistic version
Can you protect just ONE hour this week for what matters most? Start there.