Time

There is way too much talk about time management...as if we could actually manage time.
That is just another illusion we create for ourselves to make our need to control things a bit easier.

We cannot manage time, however we can...
enjoy it
waste it
protect it
misuse it
give it away

What are you doing with your time?

I've been doing some thinking (I know, right?) about priorities and what I value most.
Creative things are important to me....writing, painting, photography, music

Relationships are important to me...Jesus, Glenn, kids, family, friends

Pursuit of passions and interests is important to me....travel, learning new languages, better health, inspiring others

Am I spending the majority of time on my priorities or am I spending the majority of time on someone else's priorities because I keep allowing others to dictate my schedule...my days, hours, minutes....

good question.

I can't remember who said this first, but it certainly wasn't me...

The most important things should never be sacrificed in order to finish the unimportant.

(or something like that!)

So, deciding what we mean by important would be a great place to start, right?
There are some things that need to be done like bathing, eating, sleeping, taking out the trash.
I'm talking about the time we spend at the mercy of someone else's schedule and priorities.

A ringing phone, and unexpected visitor, surprises in your inbox...

My work is important and I need to remind myself what that work is and how it is best done.  I know what
I need to do on any given day and I must keep that important stuff important!

My family is important and I need to remind myself that even they are not the dictators of how I fill my time. 

We each do truly get to choose our day.  It's easier to blame others for the things we have to do, but there are really many fewer "have to's" than we may think.

If we work a full time job from 9-5, then yes, we are required to be there...but even within that time....who is dictating your day?  Are we so busy putting out other peoples' fires and addressing everyone else's concerns that we are no longer proactively creating our work day and accomplishing our most important things?

Adults have responsibilities, but we also have choices.  What are you going to choose to do with your time today?  Most of what we do requires less time than we give it. Being intentional with our necessary activities so we can be more effective in our results will free up some of that 24 hours so we can be selective about how we spend it.

Do something whimsical today....create some space in your time for something you are passionate about....and then enjoy it!

Have a beautiful day!