So here’s a different sort of thought-train that I’d like to share today, since we’re in the middle of a super-busy season and it’s super easy to get lost in the busy-ness of it all. Organization and time management might not seem like they belong on a blog about inspiration, faith, and encouragement, but the truth is that our lives are a reflection of the choices we make about how we spend our time. And every choice adds to the story that is our life.
Now, you can spend a ton of time and a ton of money on planners and systems designed to micro-manage each thirty, twenty, or even ten-minute slice of the day. You can plan out your weeks and months and years. It’s big business, this planner thing.
Thing is, though, spending all that time planning can take time away from what’s really important. Losing the forest for the trees is mighty easy when you’re trying to plan each and every branch.
“Put first things first, and the rest will either fall into place or fall away.”
Besides, if you leave no white space – no margins – in your days, you leave no time for the unexpected (which always happens) and no time for the spontaneous (which should happen more often).
Still, even if you aren’t using a fancy planner with special fonts and color-coded everything, even if all you’re using to plan out what to do each day is the back of an envelope with a list scratched on it, you can still get lost in the trees.
There is a better way. A simpler, and incredibly effective, way to plan your days. And it takes all of four, maybe five, minutes.
That’s right – four or five minutes, a sheet of paper (or if you’re like me a 3 by 5 note card), and your calendar (which I’m hoping you’re already writing things like appointments and deadlines on).
That’s all it takes.
You can sit down at the end of the day to plan the next, or sit down in the morning with your coffee to plan things out. It doesn’t really matter which time you choose.
The process is simple: take a look at your calendar and on one side of the paper (or note card) write down every appointment and/or deadline for the day. These are your “must-do’s”. Estimate how much time each will take (and be generous – remember, everything usually takes longer than we think it will) and include specific times if necessary (appointments).
Next, estimate the number of hours left open in your day, and either jot that down or keep it in the back of your mind. Those hours are going to be filled up with what’s most important.
Notice that I said “most important”, and not just “important”. Because lots of things are important to us, but time is finite and we simply cannot get it all done. This is just a fact of life, and in order to live our best life, we’ve really got to remember that.
“Most important” things are always – always – things that move you closer to your passion, your purpose, your people, and your faith.
Working on your manuscript. Getting into the studio to paint. Trying out that recipe you want to perfect. Putting in the extra hours at work or in study, to improve and grow. Time spent in service to others. Time with your family and friends. Time for prayer or meditation or nature, connecting to the Divine.
Write the most-most important one down on the same side of your paper or card as your must-do’s. Estimate how long it will take you (and be most generous!). Subtract those hours from the total you’ve written down (or remembered), and repeat the process with the next-most important thing.
Once you’re out of hours, well…you’re out of hours.
However, remember how generous you were with those estimates? Chances are you might just have some extra time left in your day. Time for the unexpected, time for the spontaneous, time for other things.
These other things are the rest of that list that’s running around in your brain. Lots of trees clamoring for your attention. Some are important (yes, you really should get the dishwasher emptied), and some are less important (no, the dust under the couch is not going anywhere – more’s the pity – and you can get to it when you have time).
Whatever else they are, go ahead and write them down on the other side of your paper/card. Order them in importance, but don’t bother estimating the time each will take. If you get to them, great. If not, no worries. They’re extras.
The whole process really does take just about five minutes, but what it does tremendously well is to force your focus onto what is truly a priority, and what is not.
Also, by writing down the estimated time each task will take, you can see clearly if you’ve got too much on your plate. If you have filled your life with too many commitments (something most of us tend to do), use this information as the catalyst for saying “no” more often.
There is incredible power in that word.
Will some things fall by the wayside? Yes, of course. Over time you’ll figure out if those things need to be re-evaluated as “most important” and make adjustments. You’ll see what you really can say no to.
“No” helps us put first things first.
When we do this consistently, we build a life that has purpose and passion and meaning.
A life of joy.
~xo,
LuAnne
