Busy Little Bee

Busy Busy Busy! We can all use a Time Management 101 course I tell ya! How do we do it? How do we keep up? How do we manage and maximize the most of our time and effort? How do we create a balanced life to include all the necessities for effective daily functioning. There are so many times that we can even become sleep deprived in order to pack everything into one day! I know it is tough to manage all this, so if you are a little busy bee like me, here are some helpful tips. Jot some down, make a mental note and begin to make the necessary adjustments for the most effective daily scheduling. And let’s make these adjustments quick before we crash!

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2

God wants nothing better than for us to be in good health. Time management is a big part of our health.  We have to create a balance. No one else is going to do that for us but US.  Even a prayer went out for guidance in Psalm 90:12 (NLT), “Teach us to realize the brevity [shortness of time or duration] of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”  Here are my recommended fast four – CREATE! ELIMINATE! REDEEM! ASK! 

Create a Schedule for Yourself

First we need to consider our time wisely. As the word tells us we need to realize that we don’t have a lot of time. Even though some may think that life is passing by slowly for them, if they are not engaged in daily activities. However, most people are frustrated due to conflicting schedules. There is work, home, church, kids, relationships, cleaning, preparing, exercising, devotion time, and a wide range of other activities. How can we bring that balance? Create a schedule for yourself. Don’t only look at your schedule from day to day but try viewing from week to week. Create a Monday-Sunday plan. What will you do each week and then drill down to the daily detail of your schedule. Get a planner – mobile or paper. Factor in the WEEK all your activities. If you try to pack everything into one day – that is obviously not wise and will be very ineffective. There aren’t enough hours in the day for all that. Be realistic. Some things you will not be able to do every day. Determine what the valuable things are and create the balance through out the week.

There’s an opportune time to do things,
a right time for everything on the earth.
~Ecclesiastes 3:1 (MSG)

Eliminate Tasks from Your Schedule

What do you have on your schedule that can be eliminated for the moment or for good? You have to consider this both short term and long term. Maybe you have no time for school right now, maybe it is better that you wait for a more opportune time. Maybe you can’t go to the gym 7 days a week but you can go 3-4 days a week. Maybe you can’t make it to a particular location, but you dial in or use something that is more local. Maybe you can’t hang out with friends 7 days a week but select certain days or gathering times for that. Maybe you don’t have time to go shopping at the store and can order things online. There are so many avenues and technologies that we have available to us that we can utilize for an effective balance of our schedule. Cut things out of your schedule that are not necessary. Not everything is so demanding. Make the call! Set the balance. Determine the worth in everything that you do. Maybe even eliminating some TV or social media time so that we can put it towards something more constructive.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
~1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)

Redeeming Critical Hours for Your Schedule

Can you get up earlier? Can you use your lunch hour? Can you listen while you drive? Can you catch up in the car? Yes! Driving times, lunch hours and wee hours are excellent times to make the most of. Use those hours of power for the best of your advantage. Read at lunch, go for a walk at lunch, listen to motivational speakers while you drive. Listen to great spiritual uplifting music while you drive or clean. Get some headphones and listen live! Catch up with a friend by phone. These are great ways that you can balance out your packed schedule. Put the kiddies to bed early! Don’t leave them up until midnight driving you crazy. Bed time at “8 pm” – no if’s, and’s or but’s. You are the boss of your home. Make it happen. This frees up quiet hours for you to relax and get stuff done.

“Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!”
~Ephesians 5:11-16 (MSG)

Ask Someone for Help with Your Schedule

Do you have to do it all yourself? Can you get someone else to do it? You don’t have to participate in every activity under the sun or engage in all these tasks alone. You don’t have to be everywhere and at every place!There are so many people around us that can help bring that balance. Even when it comes to ministry. We cram up our calendars for fear of others doing it better! GREAT! Do it too–so I can be free when I need to be. Perhaps even asking help from a relative. Take turns doing laundry, dishes, yard cleaning and other house chores. Don’t put all the strain on yourself. Divvy up the duties. You shouldn’t have to be the one to do it all. Communicate that to your family and friends. Just ask for help. Those that love you, will help you. God will also send you the help you need too!

Help your servant—I’m depending on you!
You’re my God; have mercy on me.
    I count on you from morning to night.
Give your servant a happy life;
    I put myself in your hands!
You’re well-known as good and forgiving,
    bighearted to all who ask for help.
Pay attention, God, to my prayer;
    bend down and listen to my cry for help.
~Psalm 86:2-6 (MSG)

Don’t forget also to give God the first fruits in all of your days for the most effective schedule ever. If you have that rushed day – don’t go to bed without seeking the Lord.

Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
~Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV)

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
~Psalm 5:3 (NKJV)

“Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,
Or go up to the comfort of my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes
Or slumber to my eyelids,
Until I find a place for the Lord,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
~Psalm 132:3-5 (NKJV)

I know in life we all get busy, busy and more busy…but let’s create the balance that we need for healthy living. Let’s eliminate the unnecessary clutter. Let’s redeem the time back. And finally, let us ask for help when we need it the most! Don’t walk around burdened by time and bogged down by your busy schedule. Make the improvements and you will see the immediate difference in your life.

All things are possible… even conquering the busy little bee like me.