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:
Q4U: What did you learn this week?
Great reminder!! I know I waste lots of time – more than I care to admit.
Well, that makes me feel better because you seem much more put together than me, Jean! 🙂
Lyli, I am humbled to be included in this post. Friend, you encourage me in so many ways that you truly have no idea. All I know is I do not want to miss the opportunity to thank you for being you. Thank you for the gift of friendship. And your friendship is a gift. XO
Loved your post! xo
I seem to get about 4 hours a day of pure silly time wasting. I suppose it’s not terrible. Or is it?
You work really hard at a very stressful job, so a little silly is in order.
Lyli,
Emily’s words about waiting really resonated with me, too 🙂 A blessed weekend to you.
I read her prayer to my prayer group. It was so lovely!
Thank you, Lyli, for your words and sharing the words of others. So much encouragement and things to contemplate here. You are a blessing to me.
Debbie, I am so thankful for you, too. You encourage my heart. Bless you
Oh my gosh, the WWF thing soooo resonated with me. My time waster is “Panda Pop.” I’m really not a “gaming enthusiast,” but somehow, I got hooked on this game. My other time-consumer is reading to the point of neglecting writing. It’s not a time-waster, because I glean a lot from reading…but I need to do some serious re-evaluation of my time! Thanks for sharing your insight.
I took a break for a week or so when we went on a cruise. I turned notifications off and only kept a couple of game apps on my phone. When I got back, the spell was broken…. That helped me quite a bit