I’ve got (at least) one thing in common with all of you… I “don’t have time”
If you saw my schedule for the day or the week I think your head might spin.
But you probably feel like it already is, just looking over yours…
So before you begin this Monday take a long deep breathe. (and for those of you that just thought you don’t have time for that take about 10 more).
Because the problem ISN’T time –it’s how we CHOOSE to use it!
We’ve each been given the same 86,400 seconds today to do something great! And that means not just filling our day BUT doing the things that will bring us closer to our dreams and leave us feeling fulfilled.
Truth be told, if I felt like I had EXTRA time would mean I’ve somewhere in the day wasted an opportunity. But when I feel like there’s not enough time means I’m desperately clinging to something I will never control.
So my faith (and happiness) always lies somewhere in the middle. The perfect pace to use the time I’ve been gifted to enjoy life as I conquer my God given goals.
Here are 6 of the principles I use to set my schedule:
1) USE YOUR PURPOSE AS THE FILTER
How you manage your time shows your priorities (and I also think measures your faith). Before you say “yes” or “no” to ANYTHING ask yourself if it is aligned with your definite purpose and ask if it will bring you closer to your goals.
2) DECIDE WHAT TIME YOU ARE WILLING (AND UNWILLING) TO USE
Every goal you’re going after has a cost and you’ll be required to pay with your time, talents, and treasures. BUT you also need to decide what time you’re not willing to pay with…and I mean up front! (NOT in the moment when you’ll be tempted to compromise). I decided a long time ago that friends and family would ALWAYS come first. Sometimes that means other things don’t happen and that’s ok! I know it’s just testing my commitment and my willingness to stay the course 🙂
3) ELIMINATE THE NON-ESSENTIALS
There are always things we can either delegate or dump! Not everything is our personal assignment and sometimes when I’m asked to do something, it’s really just meant to pass through me as a conduit to connect someone else…what you choose to keep and invest your precious time in should always give you the greatest returns.
4) HOLD THE VISION, BUT FOCUS ONLY ON TODAY
When I look over my schedule both at the beginning of the week and at the start of each day, I hold the vision of the big picture…but only focus on the tasks for that day! If I don’t break down my goals as manageable steps along the path, it gets overwhelming and I find myself taking on more than I can really do! The truth is we all over estimate what we can get done in a day, and also underestimate what we can do in the long run when just fill each day with faithful steps.
5) DON’T FORGET THE TIME YOU NEED TO REST + RESTORE
This is SO IMPORTANT! >>>–+–> SO PLEASE DON’T SKIP IT!!
You cannot do your best (IN ANYTHING) if you don’t look and feel your best first.
Trust me I get it…I KNOW you’re the glue that holds it ALL together which is WHY you can’t be the martyr for the kingdom you are trying to build! Everything you want to do, and everything you need to be, has the very one thing in common-YOU!
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” Matthew 5:13 NLT
Here’s a shift in faith for you if you are still feeling the guilt of taking some time to yourself…trust a little more in God and his timing! Everything always gets done exactly how it should. And even when you are taking the time to rest and restore… God is still working…because your dream is HIS dream too!
6) LEAVE TIME FOR THE UNEXPECTED
If you trust in God’s plan and God’s timing, you should also be expectant of some unexpected “appointments” he has planned for you too. Don’t be so busy creating a life that you don’t leave room for the miracles that are waiting for you in it! Some of the most fulfilling times that have filled my day are the chats with strangers and unexpected calls from friends and I would have either missed them ALL together or RUSHED right on through them if I didn’t always leave a little wiggle room in what I THINK I am meant to do.
My schedule has gotten much busier lately. This post has really helped me keep things in perspective. You’re right about not having enough time, it’s about choosing how to spend my time. Life is so precious, and I don’t want to lose one second doing something I feel was a waste of time.