Identify Your Current Priorities Using a Time Journal
The first step to success is to identify how you invest your time now. Keep a time journal for two weeks. Use as much detail as needed, but don’t get hung up on details and put it off thinking you just don’t have the time. Don’t concede defeat by failing to begin.
What relationships are most important to you today? Your time journal will tell you with complete objectivity. You may think your children and spouse are your most important priority, but how much time do you really spend with them, one-on-one, without involving electronics of any kind? Is your faith your greatest love? How much private time do you invest daily with the Lord? Your highest priorities are either first on your daily list, or receive the greatest share of your time.
People who are so busy they forget to eat do not have food as a high priority. Folks for whom food is really important will drop any project when lunchtime arrives, no matter what priority is attached to their current activity. Our behaviors speak more truth than our words.
Think in Terms of Time Modules
School may have introduced you to modular schedules; one period for math, one for science, and so forth. Identify the life modules that are important to you and estimate how much time each deserves. Include modules for family, work, church, education, exercise, pets, hobbies, home maintenance, sleep, etc. Once you add your modules together, will 24-hour days be enough? Did you remember to include waiting and travel time?
Procrastination
Like anything else, there are only two reasons you don’t do something; you are either unable or unwilling. When you don’t have enough information or time to complete a task you are not presently able. Not doing something you are able to do is evidence you just don’t want to do it right now; you are unwilling. Something else has a higher priority; face up to reality.
Don’t Procrastinate When You Should Just Say ‘No’
If there’s something you just don’t want to do, and recognize that you are never going to want to do it, then let everyone else involved know so they can take the action you won’t. If you never want to plant that new garden your spouse wants, then don’t. Of course, if you already promised you would, then either do it or fess up to the truth – not planting the garden is more important than your word. Putting it off will only get you demerits of another sort. Things will be rough for a bit one way or the other. At least be honest. Your spouse can hire someone to create the garden, and you can ask forgiveness. Repent, and when you think ‘No’ in the future, say so.
There’s No Path to Success When You Simply Accumulate Failures
It is better to say no to a request than to have it on your to-do list indefinitely. You can only do what you can do. Do fewer things well. If you have been asked to do something you really would like to do, but don’t have the time to invest at the moment, plan to clear your schedule at a predetermined later date to say ‘Yes.’ Remember, time is an investment to be managed, budgeted, and spent wisely.
Highly credentialed in issues of leadership, relationship, and most things equine, Lynn Baber offers a unique perspective to both readers and audiences. Whether the topic is achieving personal success or training stallions, Lynn brings years of experience to her presentations and articles. A director of Amazing Grays Ministry, Lynn is a Christian writer and retired equine professional. She shares lessons learned in thirty-five years at the business table and round pen.
Read excerpts from Lynn’s latest book, “AMAZING GRAYS-AMAZING GRACE: Pursuing relationship with God, horses, and one another” at http://www.AmazingGrays.us.
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