Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Finding More Time

Doesn't it seem like some people get so much more out of their time than others? Yet, each of us has the exact same 24 hour period of time given to us each day. What makes the difference?



We recently had our first baby which has definitely changed the way we view our time. One obvious change is that it seems like we have less free time. The free time we do have, we want to spend with our son which puts more pressure on us to be productive with our work time. We're not alone in wanting to maximize our time, so here are a few things that may help if you're looking for more time as well.

Doing the first things first frees up my time! If you've ever tried to pack for a vacation by putting the smaller bags in the vehicle first and saving the big suitcases for last, you've probably realized that everything doesn't fit. However, if you first put the big items in the vehicle, it's easier to fit the smaller bags around them.

I'm finding that I have more time to get things done when I do the larger, more important projects on my list first. All the smaller projects that are more enjoyable or easier to do fit in somehow. You would think the order of achieving certain tasks wouldn’t make a difference in the end, but I’ve found that there is a colossal difference. There is less stress and pressure in my life because I’m not racing deadlines as often. The little projects are fit into open time slots and even if they are not, work very rarely has to invade my family time, vacation, or time off in order to be finished.

This principle for finding more time is easy to identify, but challenging to live out. Distractions are countless, self-discipline is demanding, and commitment to the task can slack with our emotions. I haven’t yet found any tricks to make this easier, but I have found that doing the first things first is exceptionally rewarding. Most of us are familiar with the phrase ‘work now, play later.’ I’ve learned that when I do the most important work first, I can enjoy the rewards of accomplishment and success in my work at a later date. When I procrastinate, I fail to reach my potential and waste valuable time.



Investing the time to organzie yields more time in the long run. Many years ago I had a very simple organizational system. It was called the pile. Everything that I got in my mailbox went in the pile. Any projects, regardless of their priority or due date also went in the pile. Letters and notes from coworkers or friends were even tucked away in the pile. You can probably guess where all my ideas scribbled onto little scraps of paper went as well... they too went into the infamous pile! It definitely made work simple. I would show up with one objective. Get to the bottom of the pile. Of course, I never would get to the bottom of the pile and would often miss deadlines and not complete important projects.

There are days I may long for the simplicity of that organizational system. However, I'll never go back to the pile for one simple reason... it didn't work!

I’ve grown to enjoy systems and structure as it relates to my working patterns. Finding ways to save time and become increasingly effective has become a passion. In the past, these things may have seemed more like an administrative burden, but I’ve found that they actually bring freedom. Organization truly adds peace and joy to my routines.

It was Charles Buxton who said, “You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it." Even though I titled this article ‘Finding More Time’, the truth is that we only get more time by carving it out of an already full life. Organization helps me do just that. When I’m on top of my calendar and there is structure in my schedule, I can map out when I hope to accomplish priorities instead of trying to haphazardly fit them in.

For example, I have all day Monday blocked out to write my message notes for a future Sunday. As a pastor, I fulfill many various roles. However, the main role I have each week is to stand up on the weekend and deliver a message to the three worship gatherings at our church. If I don’t invest weekly time in research and writing, I’ll eventually be scrambling on the weekend and be less than effective. Fulfilling this priority through organizing my calendar has freed up much more time later in the week. Organization brings freedom and more free time to my life.

Recognize that there may be some things on your to-do list that don't need to be done. I’m a visionary idea person, so I’m always thinking of new things that could be accomplished. If I don’t have some exciting projects on the horizon, I get bored. Because of my personality, my Microsoft Outlook project lists at work and home can become pretty extensive.

When my lists occasionally begin to feel overwhelming, Jennifer and I will go though them together. Inevitably, she will point to several projects and ask a question like, ‘Why is that on your list?’ I typically can’t think of a good reason other than, ‘It sounded like a good idea when I first typed it in.’ Due to this simple exercise, I’ve often been able to cut down on my list of projects by about 20 percent. This exercise has also helped me learn that I don’t have to put every good idea on my to-do list. That simple learning has kept me from putting many projects on my list that were mere distractions from what I really needed to accomplish.

I’m understanding more all the time that I can’t do everything I want to in a given 24 hour period. There’s simply more ideas than there is time. Beyond that, God didn’t create me to do everything myself. He created me to do a few things well… that’s it! I’m still learning where my sweet spots are and what it is that God has uniquely designed me for. The more I sharpen the focus of what I’m really called to do, the more effective I become at those few things. It was Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) who said, “Give me a person who says, ‘This one thing I do,’ and not, ‘These fifty things I dabble in.’” Less dabbling in lower priorities is helping me find more time.

I’ve also discovered that I can limit the organization that I’m leading when I try to put things on my list that shouldn’t be there. I love to work hard and see progress which is good. Yet, it becomes a detriment to my leadership and those around me if I try to do all the important work and refuse to entrust others with high priorities. I essentially steal the joy of serving from my team and limit how much we can achieve when everyone is working in their area of giftedness.

I’ve been blessed to have a top notch staff and lots of high capacity volunteers around me. If I don’t delegate some of the important projects on my list, I’m not being an effective leader for them. Even if I could work hard enough to carry the whole load myself (which I can’t), it wouldn’t be wise. I would also be limiting my team from reaching their potential and wouldn’t be able to attract and keep top leaders in my inner circle. Beyond that, I rob the highest priorities in my life of valuable time if I regularly do things I don’t need to do.


Our pictures from a recent trip to North Carolina.

Viewing my time as a gift from God to be invested has made the greatest impact on my time. When I realize that my time is meant to be redeemed for a purpose beyond my own life, it pushes me to value every moment. When I realize how blessed I am to wake up each morning, I find myself often thanking God for the blessing of another day to be alive and active. Instead of getting caught up with worries of tomorrow, I find value in today. Todd Duncan, who wrote a book I enjoyed called Time Traps said, “Too many people are dying for tomorrow rather than living for today” (Time Traps, page 192). I can’t keep my time, it will pass by… but I can capture every hour of it if I’m intentional about the minutes.

My brother-in-law Brent Dongell recently shared with me that he is striving to start each new day with the statement, “God has given me this day to…” Then he proceeds to finish the rest of the sentence with what he believes are the most important priorities for that day. It’s a unique and refreshing diversion from the typical view of seeing every day as another chance to check all the boxes on our list. Each day can be packed with meaning and be about fulfilling a significant purpose with our lives. Each new 24 hours has potential to lead to life-changing moments and great adventures. What purpose have you been given this day for? To work? To rest? To encourage others? To worship? To love? Whatever it is, invest this day’s time wisely and go for it!

Right on!


Links to more of Brandon's articles...

5 Thoughts From 5 Years of Marriage

Savoring The Beauty Of Every Day

How To Use Your Creativity

Labels: Photography, Writing