"Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock"
Those evil sounds are dreadful for many people!
Busy mothers, Pastors, working fathers, college students and a whole lot of other people just can't seem to find the time they need to do all that life requires of them.
I know my own personal struggles in this area.
How can I fulfill my work and home duties while still investing time in my personal spiritual development? About 3 years ago I began to investigate (call people I know) methods others use to fulfill all that life demands in the 24hours our Lord gives us in a day. Here are my findings.
1. Don't wast it on social media
All too often we go from "checking my feed real quick" to spending 35 minutes on social media doing nothing productive at all. Other people's puppy pictures and selfies can wait. Be wise with your time.
2. Wake up early.
My Pastor once told me a gem that someone once told him. Its called "the 3 golden hours". There are 3 hours of a day that most of us never take advantage of. 4, 5 & 6. Now I know most of you are saying "yeah right!!!" But bear with me for a moment. If you think about it these hours have the potential to "buy time" for you before you hit "normal business hours". I personally wake up around 5am to do my devotionals and pray for people. After I get my "daily dose" of scripture, I am off to studying for lesson prep, visiting people, ministry meetings, logistics planning, etc... And thats all before lunch. Most people get more done in the "MOR(E)ning". So get outta bed!!!
3. Go to bed!
Many of you spend your evenings watching the Voice or some other late night show. Yet have you ever thought of how unproductive you likely are during these times. To be sure, watching tv at night isn't a bad thing at all, but all too often we are staying up way to late in a "veg" state. Rather than be up so late that you brain doesn't work, try going to bed earlier. Its good for your body and its good for your brain! (Don't worry. Its not a sin to go to bed before 10pm.)
4. Don't procrastinate.
One of the worst things you can ever do is put stuff off. "I'll do that tomorrow". Nooo! Don't do that if you can help it. Take care of business as business comes. Your plate will be far less full when something unexpected pops up!
5. Make list and check it twice.
As soon as I put my kids to bed and I go downstairs for my nightly cookie (Thanks Rick;-), and get out my Evernote app and start to list my tasks for the following day. I ask my wife about home stuff that needs to get done right after I write down all my work related tasks. Try it and see how it works for you.
6. Pray.
Ask the Lord to help you be productive and then go and be productive. If you wake up early and "Go hard", you could be amazed at how much you get done. Praying about it in the morning does two things. It keeps your mind focused on being productive and it entreats the Lord's help, which is always a good thing.
This is what I do. Hope it helps!!!
Resources on the topic:
Keven De Young - "
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Tim Challies - "
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