How Do You Find The Time?

This question “How do I find the time?” was asked by Pastor Ronald Saunders of Rhema Community Church in his comment to my Sunday notes 3/1/09. He’s not the only one who has asked the question or one similar to it in recent days. So I thought I would write my philosophy, belief, conviction, etc on time management.

Last year, 2008, was one the busiest years for me as a pastor, employee, husband, and father. I had to juggle my time availability with numerous responsibilities (i.e. project, sermon preparation, employee responsibilities, family, me time (mainly rest), children activities, and a host of time robbers.

One of the most precious commodities in life, in my opinion, is time. Time passes by like the wind. Sometimes you feel the breeze of its comfort but then its rumble that can blow you over (Quote by: Me).

I’ve learned over the years (and still learning) that much can be accomplished in 24 hours. Being a bi-vocational pastor is teaching me that I don’t have time to waste. There are 2 verses that are dear to my heart for using my time wisely.

Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time (Colossians 4:5).

These 2 passages help me to stay focused on my day-to-day activities and responsibilities. Please don’t take this as if I’m a time management guru because I’m not. Actually, it has been one of my biggest challenges as a pastor over the years. But last year taught me the importance of time management and with some adjustments I’ve been able to accomplish a lot in short period of time.

Here are several suggestions I want to offer to a busy person:

1. Schedule – One of my learned principles that has helped me over the past year or so is scheduling my responsibilities by priority. I carry a calendar with me at all times and it has been installed on my cell phone. The calendar consists of all church, family, job, and me activities. I try my best not overbook myself. The word NO is becoming one of my favorite words. I use Microsoft Outlook task manager like my bible (figuratively speaking) with reminders to help me follow-up and follow through. A good schedule of your activities provides clear direction for the day. I’ve set Friday nights as together time for Tracy and I. To the best of my ability I try my best not to make plans on that day that doesn’t include her. Sunday afternoons is family time (after I rest). So we go for ice cream or something as a family. You’ll be amazed that simple things matter most to the ones you love in spending quality time.

2. Discipline – Be aware of time robbers (i.e. TV, hanging out, telephone, surfing the internet, Facebook, blogging, friends dropping by, etc). I don’t have a lot of friends that I talk to or hang out with on a regular basis. And the friends I do have we pretty much have a schedule time to check in with each other and we respect each others responsibilities enough to get off the phone or say good-bye so we can continue our daily duties. Protect your time!

3. Be flexible – This could be considered as a contradiction to discipline. Because one hand I’m saying be disciplined but then saying be flexible. Let me explain before you close your ear. It is possible to not get everything done in one day, that’s reality. Something unexpected comes up all the time that can throw a monkey wrench in your whole plan. Be flexible enough to deal with the unforeseen but make your way back to your schedule and start the next day. If you’re having a number of unforeseen events that just may mean you have not scheduled yourself properly. Unforeseen events should be the exception not the rule.

4. Take advantage of free time – I’m not a lover of reading but I like to read. Of course, one of my problems is finding time to read through a book completely not to mention tight finances. So, I subscribe to different Christian websites for reading material (Christianity Today, Building Church Leaders, Lifeway, or download free books from John Piper’s website). I also print book material from my Libronix (contains books for David Jeremiah and John McArthur) and Wordsearch (Larry Burkette and too many others) software by chapter or sometimes read from my cell phone. This has helped me prepare for my teaching and preaching assignments as well as personal development. I have a study organization worksheet that I use for passage studies and each week print a copy. It consist of text and all translations and observation questions (why, when, and how). I carry this worksheet everywhere. So at lunch, track meet, watching a game, or wherever, I use that free time.

5. Do inventory of your schedule – I use to beat myself up like crazy if I forgot to do something. But then I started going back over my schedule and checking off the things that was accomplished. To my surprise I completed much more than I thought. Now, I write everything down no matter how small a task and when it’s done I mark it complete. It gives me a since of accomplishment knowing my day was not wasted.

Again, I’m not a time management guru. This is just some things I implemented in my life to make better use of my time and I’m still learning. Hope this little bit helps somebody make better use of their time.