Time is a zero-sum game. There is no way to get a 25th hour
in your day. That makes time valuable; maybe even more valuable than any other
commodity you have. That value makes it worth the effort to ‘budget’ your time
just as you would your money. When you spend more time on something, this means
spending less time on something else. Your time is your responsibility and the
burden is using it wisely.
Who is the judge of your time? I look at time as a gift from God and try to use it how He would want me to. Start your day with your judge. Whether that means planning your day on your own, with your spouse, or in prayer with God. This will focus your day and maximize your use of it.
It is easy to feel guilty for not spending more time on any one topic. But, stop and consider this… Do you feel like you should spend more time with your spouse? Probably ‘yes’. Do you feel like you should spend more time with your children? Probably ‘yes’. Do you feel like you should spend more time at work? Probably ‘yes’. Focusing on just one thing, it will always want more from you.
Remember, your time is like a bucket. If your bucket is already full, adding more water to it; only spills water. Planning the day as a whole helps us realize our limitations and minimizes that opportunity for worry or guilt.
Planning one day at a time can consume much of that precious time. Try to look at things weekly. Create a rough weekly planner. List your have to's before your want to’s. Track your time and accomplishments for a week. Now take that information and tweak your weekly planner. Did you miss any "have to's"? Did task x take more or less time than you planned? Continue this process for a few weeks until things seem to run 'smooth'. Now you have a guide every week to help keep you productive and happy. Remember to check back every two or three months and adjust. Did an old task go away? Did a new one pop up?
Still, need more time? Get up earlier. Not a lot, but maybe 30 minutes a day. Do you realize that would work out to two to three days of work a year? This can mean the difference between a smooth, well planned, accomplished day and a day filled with stress, distraction, and guilt.
This weekly template gives you power. When something unexpected comes up, you can make an educated decision. Can this fit into my schedule? Is this a have to that needs to replace a want to? Should I say 'no' to this new time user?
I will leave you with two final tips. Create a 'home base'. A designated place for your daily tools like keys, wallet, purse, phone, or glasses. Make sure the home base is easily accessed during your morning routine. Anything that can be made autopilot like this will add time to your day. Put everything back. Everything in your life needs a home. Not sure where that home is for something? Where was the first place you looked for it the last time you needed it?
Who is the judge of your time? I look at time as a gift from God and try to use it how He would want me to. Start your day with your judge. Whether that means planning your day on your own, with your spouse, or in prayer with God. This will focus your day and maximize your use of it.
It is easy to feel guilty for not spending more time on any one topic. But, stop and consider this… Do you feel like you should spend more time with your spouse? Probably ‘yes’. Do you feel like you should spend more time with your children? Probably ‘yes’. Do you feel like you should spend more time at work? Probably ‘yes’. Focusing on just one thing, it will always want more from you.
Remember, your time is like a bucket. If your bucket is already full, adding more water to it; only spills water. Planning the day as a whole helps us realize our limitations and minimizes that opportunity for worry or guilt.
Planning one day at a time can consume much of that precious time. Try to look at things weekly. Create a rough weekly planner. List your have to's before your want to’s. Track your time and accomplishments for a week. Now take that information and tweak your weekly planner. Did you miss any "have to's"? Did task x take more or less time than you planned? Continue this process for a few weeks until things seem to run 'smooth'. Now you have a guide every week to help keep you productive and happy. Remember to check back every two or three months and adjust. Did an old task go away? Did a new one pop up?
Still, need more time? Get up earlier. Not a lot, but maybe 30 minutes a day. Do you realize that would work out to two to three days of work a year? This can mean the difference between a smooth, well planned, accomplished day and a day filled with stress, distraction, and guilt.
This weekly template gives you power. When something unexpected comes up, you can make an educated decision. Can this fit into my schedule? Is this a have to that needs to replace a want to? Should I say 'no' to this new time user?
I will leave you with two final tips. Create a 'home base'. A designated place for your daily tools like keys, wallet, purse, phone, or glasses. Make sure the home base is easily accessed during your morning routine. Anything that can be made autopilot like this will add time to your day. Put everything back. Everything in your life needs a home. Not sure where that home is for something? Where was the first place you looked for it the last time you needed it?
