On a scale of one to ten, I’m about a two when it comes to planning and time management.
I love planners, buying them anyway. Right now, I have two, no three, going.
- Electronic
- Paper for my blog.
- Paper for appointments and important dates.
Something I’m learning is that it’s impossible to be the best steward of my time when every to-do list is in my head and my schedule is all over the place.
I’m determined to make some changes and do a better job of stewarding God’s gift of time.
I’ve prayed about it and asked God for His help and guidance.
And I’m asking myself questions that I believe will help me look at what was good last week and what needs to be better in the week ahead … questions that will help me do a better job of planning and organizing my time.
And I thought you might want to see them too…
Questions You Need to Ask
that will Bless Your Time Management
1. What were my greatest blessings last week?
I’m making a list of moments, people, and things God used to bless my life during the past week. I want to keep a written record of the ways I felt God’s love and guidance.
“Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Focus on your character, not your reputation.
Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes.”
~ Roy T. Bennett
2. Where did I miss the mark?
I’m also listing the things that I regret having done (or failed to do). I’m confessing them and asking God to forgive me.
Don’t you just love that God’s forgiveness cleans the slate for the week ahead?!
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Psalm 32:!
3. What lessons did I learn last week?
I believe if God allows something in my life, He has a purpose for it. I’m constantly learning life-lessons and I want to pay attention and adjust my life so I don’t have to repeat the hard ones … but I’d like to repeat the good ones often.
“How much you can learn when you fail determines how far you will go into achieving your goals.” ~ Roy Bennett
4. Where did I find joy in serving others?
Loving and serving others is so much fun when I’m using my gifts and doing things I enjoy!
I want to remember that I don’t have to say “yes” to every request. I want to be able to give my “best yes” and love the people around me with joy!
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers, and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
5. What moments do I want to remember?
I wish I’d done a better job of journaling memories when we were raising our children. I would love to have journal pages and scrapbooks filled with moments that touched my heart. And I’ve decided it’s not too late to start now!
“A memory is a photograph taken by the heart to make a special moment last forever.” ~ Unknown
6. Where did I waste time?
It’s okay to rest. In fact, it’s a good thing! That’s not wasting time! But I can so easily get lost on social media and lose precious hours when I should be finishing projects and working toward goals.
I want to start tracking my time, so I can do better. (If you know of any good apps, please leave your recommendation in the comments.)
7. What am I worried about … what’s my greatest source of stress and what can I do about it?
I spent years living with generalized anxiety disorder. And then I learned that when I identify my worries … I can surrender them to God in prayer.
Identifying a fear can remove some of its power, and it gives you and me the courage to face our fears and move beyond them. If we can do something about it – we should do it! If not – let’s give it to God and leave it alone!
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
8. Where do I need to quit procrastinating?
I am the worst procrastinator about things I don’t really want to do … cleaning and phone calls are my typical “I’ll do that later” items. When I identify my “I don’t wanna” projects … I can mark them as “Eat the frog first” and check them off early! Woo Hoo!
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” ~Abraham Lincoln
9. What are my goals and what can I do to accomplish them?
I believe you and I are more likely to meet our goals if we know what they are and list steps to do them.
I believe these three categories will help me be more specific…
a. Professionally
b. Relationally
c. Spiritually
“Focus on your goals, not your fears.” ~ Roy T. Bennett
10. Who needs my encouragement, my thanks, my help?
My spouse, my children, a friend, a teacher, or a ministry I love … I want to write their names in my planner and make intentional efforts to build them up, tell them what I appreciate about them, and take time to help where I can.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
11. What will I do this week for my health and the health of my family?
I’ll be honest with you. I’m not very good at this. I don’t plan meals, organize shopping lists, or schedule exercise the way I should. I want to make healthy choices a priority.
Remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. Ecclesiastes 11:9b–10a
12. What verse of Scripture will I memorize this week?
It would be awesome to memorize 50+ verses in a year and writing that verse once every day will make it easy to memorize it by the end of the week.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Isaiah 26:3
13. What’s the best way to organize my schedule to accomplish all I want to do?
This is where I look at my to-do list and my schedule and group things that can be done together.
“Organizing is what you do before you do something so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” ~ A.A. Milne
14. What am I most excited about this week?
I want to plan at least one “I can’t wait” event each week. One each day would be ideal, but I’m content to start with one or two each week.
Honestly, aren’t you more excited to get out of bed when there is something fun planned?“
“When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.” ~ Dr. Seuss15. What is my purpose?
When I know my purpose and mission and plan my week accordingly, I’m better able to enjoy the rich fullness of life I long for.
Do you know your purpose? Do you have a Personal Mission Statement? (If not, come back Friday and I’ll help you write one.)
So friends, grab your journals and your planners and put a copy of these questions where you can find them easily and bless your time management.
You have my permission to use and/or share this list as you’d like. (Click on the list of questions for a printable version to save.)
Time is a precious gift and I want to use it well. I’m sure I won’t do it perfectly but I can do better.
But…
I also want to make sure I allow space in my schedule for God’s interruptions because I want to make the most of every moment God gives me and make things with eternal value my priority.
Time truly is one of our most precious commodities…
Just think of all the things that can happen in a moment, an hour, a day, a week, or longer.
Leave your prayer requests…
and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.
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