Balance and Moderation on Time Management
Time is an important commodity. Older individuals realize much time has passed, silently desiring more time. While the younger generation believes they have all the time in the world.
You cannot go back in time. You cannot make up for lost time. My advice is to make the present time count for something because the future is not guaranteed.
Do you budget your time, like your money. Or, do you live minute to minute, day to day with the regards to how your time is spent. It does not matter if you are 18, 28, 48 or 88, spend time wisely.
Do you budget your time? Budgets reflect balance, the ability to stay centered when spending your time is concerned. To be able to acknowledge limits, deficits and surpluses and adjust accordingly. To maintain a healthy time budget is to avoid extreme behaviors, not to spend too much time or spend too little in areas of your life. That’s moderation.
I understand, the majority of people spend many hours of their day with either going to work or school time. What about the rest of your time?
You may hear or even say two statements;
- I’m so busy
- I don’t have the time
Many can testify and prove that those statements are true. If you are juggling employment, participating in an exercise regimen, going to school part time, performing household chores, running errands, fulfilling family time and stealing a little bit of “me”. There is probably isn’t much time left.
However, if you fall into the category of going to work, and having a lot of “me” time, and you barely cook, perform little to no housekeeping, attend no classes and your spouse and children are left to fend for themselves. This post is for you.
Statements often made are:
- I’m so tired
- I’m sleepy
- I need a nap
- I need my rest
These people are the ones who take off unnecessary days at work or come to work dragging and unhappy, but miraculously have a second wind close to clock out time and hurriedly go home to do nothing.
Time should be budgeted. We spend time on the things we must get done, working, traveling to and from work. But, you better believe we make time for the things we want to do. Texting, Facebook, television shows, movies, friends or any other fun activity.
For obvious reasons, time should be budgeted because things get neglected, for example:
- Aging parents, or other loved ones may want a phone call, a quick visit, something to let them know you love them.
- Spouses need attention. Don’t be fooled. Spend time with your husband or wife.
- Too many children are not nurtured at home. So they go elsewhere to get what they think they need. And, the places they end up, may not always be positive.
- Education should always be sought. Don’t allow opportunities to come your way and you’re unprepared.
- Self-awareness is the knowledge of your personality or character. Do you know yourself?
- Health should be addressed. There are too may illness, disease and disorders that can be avoided with good health habits.
- God. I purposely left God last, not because He is least. But, He can assist you with all of the above issues. He is the key to your success.
Remember, anything you do not water, feed or nurture will eventually die. Not necessarily a physical death, but a cease from functioning to end in failure or to become indifferent.
Here are some tips on managing your time more effectively. No one knows your schedule better than you. The obvious tip is asking God for help. We are living in a “me” society and a world of selfishness. It is difficult to take your eyes off yourself and focus on God and His counsel. You must have a strong will to have good time management. You must be obedient to wise counsel. If you do not have at least these qualities. You run a high risk of failing because the strong will of procrastination, laziness and distractions will be activated. With God, you can fight these unhealthy spirits.
When developing any new skills or healthy behaviors, it may come a time when you must isolate yourself from people who are not encouraging you on your quest. If you have previously associated yourself with individuals who waste time or lack time management skills, it may be time to part company. It may not be forever, only until you get stronger.
Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. Colossians 4:5Amplified Bible (AMP)
You may not have control of all the hours of your day, but make good on the things you can control. Become an early riser. Instead of sleeping to the very last minute, wake up early and spend time on things that matter. Maybe call your parents/loved in the morning. Take an early exercise class for your health.
If you are a night owl. Instead of binge watching television series or playing video games, spend time with your spouse, do something special. Have date nights. Do something your spouse enjoys. As far as education, spend late hours doing online college courses. For health, locate a gym that is open 24 hours a day or have late hours.
Traveling back and forth to work is an excellent t time for self-awareness. Listen to audio books, spiritual guidance CD, the Bible on tape. Also, this time can be allocated for calling parents and loved ones.
Time can be spent with children while you are cooking. Have them sit in the kitchen, while you prepare meals. Have them assist you in preparing the meals. This is a wonderful time to teach them cooking skills as well as catch up on what is going on in their lives. Also, maybe take one day out of the week for meal prep. When you come home from work, it may be a matter of just heating up a meal instead starting from the scratch. Make sure you incorporate your children or maybe your spouse with meal prep. Preparing meals in advance, gives you control with healthy eating habits. Having your premade nutritional lunches and healthy snacks can help you to avoid the vending machines or high caloric; high fat; fast food meals.
On your lunch break eat, of course, but attempt to incorporate some the items listed above.
Spend time with God early in the morning, late at night, coming and going to work, on your lunch break, all throughout the day.
Time is more precious than money. You can lose money and get it back. Once time is lost, it is gone. Spend your time wisely.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17King James Version (KJV)