“See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
–ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV
I get asked often about my time-management strategies, and I usually find myself having a hard time explaining it. I thought it would be best to have it spelled out somewhere- so over the next few posts, I'm going to download everything I know about time management and accomplishing goals. hopefully you find this helpful!
everyone has things that they need to get done. some are small things, some are big things, but they are all important. I personally hate it when I forget an important detail and let someone (or myself) down. I’ve got so many details to remember that sometimes its overwhelming- I’m sure you have felt the same way. over my next few posts, I’m going to spell out how I manage it all. I’ve stolen tips and tricks from all kinds of people- and its all added up to a system that has worked well for me.
it all begins with a list.
at the beginning of every day, make a list.
I make mine on a steno pad, writing with a pencil.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve given that advice- it seems obvious, but I’m surprised how few people do this simple exercise.
some people think that they just aren’t the list kind of person; but I’m not talking about lists everywhere, just one list at the beginning of the day.
sometimes when we think about everything that needs to get done, its overwhelming. its like a cloud of stress that hangs over our heads. but when you actually list it out, and can look at what needs to get done on a piece of paper, all of the sudden that stress gets lighter, and the task seems more manageable.
so each day I begin with a list. on paper.
I’ve met a lot of people who make lists on their cell phone, and I would say that you should do that if it works for you- but in my experience, nothing beats a good old steno pad.
the activity of writing down my list of things to do, first thing in the morning, holds me accountable to get those things done. also- having that list in my workspace is a constant reminder of what needs to get done, of how I should be spending my time, and when I have free time and when I don’t.
what do you put on your list? everything that needs to get done TODAY. I start my list with a day of the week- in big letters I write MONDAY or TUESDAY at the top. sometimes there are little things that need to get done- I put them on the list. sometimes there are big things to get done- things that won’t get done in one day. I break those projects up into steps, and put the next step on my list. I put personal stuff on list list, like getting my car washed or writing a thank you card. I put everything that needs to get done on a given day- including having a quiet time; anything that you want to see happen, write it down. even if the list is 50 items long, its ok. write it down so you can see what needs to get done. once you can see it, its manageable.
now that its written down, you have made a contract with yourself to get it done. when I accomplish a task, I cross it off of my list.
I cross the heck out of it.
they say that your brain actually releases endorphins when you do this. it makes you physically happy to get stuff done. my friend Marc gave me that idea to cross things off on my list with a big red marker; and I’ve been doing it happily for years since.
some things on your list need to get done TODAY. note that somehow. I put a little red dot next to that item for those. some things you need to go and shop for. note those too- maybe you can get them all done on the same trip. some things are really, really important. make sure you note that on your list and give those things the time they deserve.
what if you don’t get everything on your list done? that stuff goes on tomorrow’s list. I’ll write about that in my next post. sometimes it wasn’t that important and it can just get crossed off. my goal at the end of the day is to have a page of steno pad filled with red marker. some days it happens, most days it doesn’t. that’s ok. keep those details in front of you- and as long as they are in front of you, you won’t forget them, you’ll get them done.
my list helps me in a bunch of ways. first of all, I get a bunch of stuff done. second, I don’t stress over details, because I know what details need to get done, and I’m confident that I’ll get them done. it makes me efficient with my time too. sometimes I think to myself, “I have 15 minutes until I need to go to a meeting or leave to somewhere…” instead of checking the internet for 15 minutes, I just look at my list and ask, “is there anything on here that I can get done in 15 minutes?” and the odds are that there is. finally, when I get home, I can rest. I can put my focus on my family. I don’t need to freak out and wonder how I’m going to get it all done. I know how I’m going to get it done; and I can rest knowing that I got a bunch done in the work hours that I had.
give it a try! get a steno pad and write the day on top of it. then list out the things you need to get done today. I’ll bet you have a very productive day!
God is love.
-rev-rob
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