In daily life, too often we make a list, hurry through the day to accomplish it, then fall into bed at night only to start again the next day. I call this pinball living. With a few key shifts, we can make our time management more meaningful, as well as enjoyable.
1. Create your day. This concept came to me a few months ago and it has changed my life. The night before or morning of my day, Ill take 1-5 minutes to clearly create it as best I can. That includes asking questions like:
2. People first, projects second. In our must-do schedule we can sometimes view people as interruptions. But our to-do list isnt the focus, its a vehicle to help us do and balance what matters most: people. As we focus on being present for and with others, were truly connected and filled with deeper purpose. And, ironically, we often accomplish our original goals, and even do them better or more enjoyably.
A few months ago I was asked to speak at a writing conference as well as attend the speakers dinner the night before. Typically I dont do both, as I limit my time away from home. But I desired to support the smaller conference and its good efforts. At the dinner, I fell into conversation with two authors at the speakers table. Before you know it, we were scribbling ideas on the hotel notepad for a Christmas anthology, based on a cozy town version of Park City and a terrific plotline. Before you know it, "Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology" was born and launched where it hit No. 1 on Amazon in three different categories. I could not have achieved that by myself in that time frame, and so enjoyably. Putting people and their causes first truly does come back ten-fold to each of us.
3. Whats one needful thing? With so many good options on a daily basis to choose from, knowing where to put our time and energy meaningfully can be a challenge. One of my favorite quotes from Anne Morrow Lindbergh is, My Life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.
We can consider or pray to know what is the one needful thing, at any given time, for our situation. I can ask myself, Whom do I need to connect with, what do I need to spend my time on, what is purposeful for me to do today? As we take 30 seconds to make a meaningful time management choice, we might be surprised at the choices we hadnt considered.
As we intentionally approach our day, how to create it, how to connect with others in it, how to do the needful thing, we find our days more fulfilling, and a peace and contentment we wouldnt otherwise have.
1. Create your day. This concept came to me a few months ago and it has changed my life. The night before or morning of my day, Ill take 1-5 minutes to clearly create it as best I can. That includes asking questions like:
- How do I want to feel?
- What needs to happen?
- Where can I put in the fun, warmth and service?
2. People first, projects second. In our must-do schedule we can sometimes view people as interruptions. But our to-do list isnt the focus, its a vehicle to help us do and balance what matters most: people. As we focus on being present for and with others, were truly connected and filled with deeper purpose. And, ironically, we often accomplish our original goals, and even do them better or more enjoyably.
A few months ago I was asked to speak at a writing conference as well as attend the speakers dinner the night before. Typically I dont do both, as I limit my time away from home. But I desired to support the smaller conference and its good efforts. At the dinner, I fell into conversation with two authors at the speakers table. Before you know it, we were scribbling ideas on the hotel notepad for a Christmas anthology, based on a cozy town version of Park City and a terrific plotline. Before you know it, "Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology" was born and launched where it hit No. 1 on Amazon in three different categories. I could not have achieved that by myself in that time frame, and so enjoyably. Putting people and their causes first truly does come back ten-fold to each of us.
3. Whats one needful thing? With so many good options on a daily basis to choose from, knowing where to put our time and energy meaningfully can be a challenge. One of my favorite quotes from Anne Morrow Lindbergh is, My Life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.
We can consider or pray to know what is the one needful thing, at any given time, for our situation. I can ask myself, Whom do I need to connect with, what do I need to spend my time on, what is purposeful for me to do today? As we take 30 seconds to make a meaningful time management choice, we might be surprised at the choices we hadnt considered.
As we intentionally approach our day, how to create it, how to connect with others in it, how to do the needful thing, we find our days more fulfilling, and a peace and contentment we wouldnt otherwise have.
