Lessons Learned in 3-D: Time Wasters

Right now, I am reading two books that both encouraged me to track how I am using my time. I’ve done this activity before — in fact, I used to teach a college orientation class where this was one of the assignments. However, that was BEFORE I got married.

So, this week, I decided to just sit down and think about where my time was going — I didn’t actually track it literally. I just wrote down the number 24, and then started subtracting. 24 minus 7 hours of sleep is 17. Seventeen hours minus 2 hours of getting ready in the morning and having my quiet time leaves me 15. Fifteen minus 9 hours of work and drive time chops me down to 6. Sixteen minus 2 hours of dinner prep and clean up will provide another 4 hours.

I have no idea where those 4 hours went.

I have spent the week looking for them.

Apparently, I am wasting a whole lot of time on nothing when I could be doing something.

I’ve decided I want my 4 hours back — or maybe if I could just squeeze out 2 hours, I will be more fruitful and effective.

That is one lesson I learned this week.

I haven’t had time to do a post like this one for a while (apparently because I was playing Words with Friends!), so this week, I am determined to change that.

5 Lessons Learned about Using Time Wisely

I am called to “keep company with God while I wait for seeds to grow.” Love this post and prayer from Emily.
I must “invest in my mental status” in the morning because it’s not wise to “roll out of bed and into a meeting.” (Love the practical ideas shared in this video.)
When my planning goes awry, my day is never wasted. I must remember that God uses it all, and I am “clay in His hands.” (Thank you, Joanne. I needed this reminder.)
Jenny reminded me that I need to slow down and notice the gifts of beauty that God bestows on me each day.
My days are numbered. Am I counting? This verse suggests that I should: