I didn't have time...

 "I didn't have time to write any unit tests."

"I didn't have time to workout."

"I didn't have time to visit my parents."

"I didn't have time to read any books."

When I find myself starting to say things like these, or when I hear them from others, I have started substituting "take the time" for "have the time."  So, for example,

"No, you mean, 'I didn't take the time to workout.'"  

That one change changes everything.  It adds agency and accountability.   

I take the time, every morning, to go running or walking with my dogs.  Some days that is really hard to squeeze in.  But it comes off the top.  Like sleep, taking the trash out, brushing my teeth.  Hard days are hard days.  Skipping workouts or other activities of daily life actually only makes them harder.

When I see code with no tests and I hear the excuse "I didn't have time to write tests,"  I see lack of accountability.  I would rather have well-defined contracts and failing tests with no implementation than code with no tests.  The former is progress.  The latter just adds risk and debt.  People who work for me sometimes don't get this right away.  It is a great example of how you usually have more agency than you realize.  I expect people to take the time to do things correctly and to include the time needed in their estimates of how long things are going to take.  I know that I am not alone in this.  People often create caricatures in their minds of leaders, family members and other unseen forces driving them to squeeze out all but the most urgent activities in their work or home life.  When you ask them, "Are you sure that is really what X wants?" where "X" is the leader, spouse or other stakeholder, the answer is often surprising and in fact just asking the question can lead to a realization of agency.

So just try this:  every time you find yourself saying "I didn't have time to..."  force yourself to say out loud "I didn't take the time to..."