“Where has the time gone?!”
“We’re running out of time! Hurry up!”
“I just don’t have the time!”
If you’re anything like me you probably say one or more of the above phrases at least a bazillion times a day. Why?! Why is time so elusive. Just when you think you have a handle on it, maybe you’re finally getting in the groove, getting a handle on things to speak, but then bam! An unexpected wrench (aka life) is thrown into the mix and it messes you all up.
Maybe you thrive on schedules, color-coding your appointments and activities. Or maybe you’re more laid back, maybe even a “fly-by-the-seat of your pants” kind of person. Either way, we all fall victim to the evil time crunch.
Today was no exception for me, and as I found myself staring at the clock as I hurried to put away groceries and try ineffectively to shake the child off that was firmly latched onto my left leg and shrieking, I knew something had to give.
As I began to pray I felt God calm my spirit and speak to my heart. He’d been trying to tell me this for a while. So without further ado, here’s five ways we can all use to help us with time management.
1. Stop procrastinating. This afternoon as I hurried to get out the door, slowed by my search for the missing van keys. I berated myself. The hook is right there, why do you insist on setting them elsewhere? As I scooped up the keys from underneath yesterday’s discarded junk mail, I wandered aimlessly looking for a sippee cup not coated with old chocolate milk.
After I fixed to-go drinks for all my dependents I set off to fix my own. They’ve apparently rubbed off on me and I now feel like I too must take my own cup of water for our 10 minute road trip lest I waste away from dehydration. As I went to the freezer to retrieve ice I was confronted with three empty ice trays.
For some reason I do that. You too? I am in such a hurry to get my drink that I don’t have time to refill the ice cube tray! I must pass the empty trays on the kitchen counter 1,200 times, but do I fill them? No. I save it for later. And you see how well that works out for me.
Some people who procrastinate are just plain lazy, but for the majority of us procrastinators we just don’t think we have the time. We put this off. We put that off. We do it all for the sake of brevity, but end up having the remains of 500 undone things crashing upon our heads.
News flash. Procrastination doesn’t save time. It just uses up more of it. Stop lying to yourself, and just do it.
*You may be wondering at this point about priorities. Don’t worry. I’ll get there. Placing things on a list in order of importance isn’t procrastination. It’s proper planning. Or you could call it “being a woman.”
2. Stop stressing out. Easier said than done, right? Let me set the scene for you, and you tell me if this sounds familiar.
A frazzled mom runs through the house, tripping over small, yet sharp toddler toys, and feet crunching and obliterating discarded baby snacks as she goes.
“Get your shoes! Where are your shoes?! Why do you always lose your shoes?! Oh look! One pink boot and one red ballet flat! Just great!! Hurry up and get your shoes!”
I will go ahead and tell you, while the above monologue is delivered with vigor and riddled with emotion, it does nothing. I repeat. It does nothing.
Small kids don’t respond to high stress yelling. In fact, it confuses them. To combat this mood and behavior they see around them they shut down. They slow down. They stop. Instead of looking for a shoe they sit in the floor and pretend they’re a puppy or something. So you end up with a harried woman rushing about, walking past a pair of pink sneakers eight times while her child barks at the television.
This isn’t a scenario isolated to parenthood either. It’s the reason being calm while working in critical care is so important. Patient outcome and satisfaction is dramatically improved in a stress free environment.
All aspects of life are improved when peace and clarity reign. And guess what? An environment of calmness causes you to achieve tasks in a more timely manner. Serenity saves time!
3. Stop and play. So you have all this stuff to do and just can’t seem to get it done. Nothing is working out right. Not one single thing! What gives?!
Well, it might just be time to stop and play. This is an easy thing for me. With two small girls that desire a playmate in mommy, I have a huge opportunity for play at my fingertips. Sometimes when the laundry is mounding and the dust is resting upon layers of dust, I just have to sit in the floor and play dolls.
This works without kids too though. Sometimes I even need to play without the kids. Date night is amazing for this purpose. When you’re not taking time to rest, relax, and enjoy yourself you will not get a lot accomplished. Your stress levels will affect performance negatively.
You have to take time to stop and play. The time you spend doing this will be well spent. It will allow the remainder of your time to be utilized more efficiently. Trust me on this one.
4. Prioritize.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Life requires balance. I would really encourage you to seek The Lord on priorities for your life. Your first priority is always seeking Him. If it’s not, everything will get out of whack.
Pray, think about it all, and decide what’s important to you, to your family. Is it the deadlines or the activities? Is your plate too full perhaps? Do you need to trim some fat as they say, cutting away what can’t fit into your newly balanced priorities?
What you think is important right now, well, maybe it’s not. Maybe there’s more time available, bestowed to us from God than we could have ever imagined. Maybe, just maybe, when we can see through His eyes to the root of what’s important, the stresses, time tables, and deadlines fade away. And love remains.
Nothing makes time a more friendly force than spending it well.
5. Find joy and thanksgiving. Seriously. Like this is the most important one. I need you… No, strike that. You need to find the joy and thanksgiving in your life. Even in the rush, it’s there, waiting to be plucked, ripe for the gathering.
Imagine if you could face your hurried day with a smile on your face, slowing down just enough to see the miracles all around you. See the petals on the tiny, purple flower. See the smile on your child’s face as they learn something new. Watch their reaction and make it your own. Approach God’s daily gifts with the joy of a child seeing snow for the first time.
See the joy of those everyday miracles and say thank you.
Thank you that the light is green.
It’s raining. Thank you I remembered my umbrella.
Thank you for goodbye kisses and welcome home hugs.
Thank you for the good, and thank you for what I perceive as bad, because You are good God. You are good. And I am glad.
When you can approach your time with a positive attitude it works wonders. Every day won’t be a fountain of joy, I understand, but approach it looking for even a sliver of joy, something to be thankful for, because it’s always there. Sometimes hidden, yes, but only from our rushed eyes. Slow down and you will see.
Time can no longer control you. You will become victorious in your joy and thanksgiving, living with less stress, better priorities, and a playful nature that does not put things off.
You will discover that you have indeed beat the hands of time.