I passed a friend in the halls here not too long ago, and we exchanged pleasantries of “how are you?” “Good. You?” “Busy!” We both stopped and began discussing what was bombarding our lives lately to where we felt busy all the time. Being busy has almost become a badge of honor in our society now. If the person next to you has a fuller plate and heavier burdens, it may feel like you will be left in the dust and scrounging for leftover scraps in order to keep up. Have you ever felt so busy that you can’t think straight?
Are you truly busy, or could you possibly have a time management issue? Experts have said that time is the only commodity everyone has the same amount of—so it’s how you’re spending your time that makes the difference. As you close out this year and turn the page on a new calendar, it’s important to examine your life over the last year and plan to make this year even better.
First, take a look at where you think you’re spending time on average during the week. I encourage you to be generous in your estimates and be as honest as you can be—you’re the only one that’s going to look at where you spend your time. Estimate the number of hours you spend in a given week in the following areas. I’ve also included a few blank lines for you to add your own specific areas where you spend time. Let’s get started!
Work/School ____________________
Church ____________________
Sleep ____________________
Commute ____________________
TV/Entertainment/Social Media ____________________
Studying/Reading/Scripture ____________________
Exercise ____________________
Eating/Cooking ____________________
Cleaning/Laundry ____________________
______________ ____________________
______________ ____________________
TOTAL HOURS ____________________
There are a total of 168 hours per week. How close were you to that number? Often, when I’ve shared this concept with people, there is a realization that you still have several hours unaccounted for throughout your week. In some instances, you might have more than a full day of extra time!
As we venture into 2020, how can you start this new decade being very intentional with your time? Where are some areas that you need to focus your attention and spend more or less time? Over the next week, consciously be aware of where you are spending your most prized commodity. Track where you’re spending your time. Get the most accurate view rather than estimating. Then, make a diligent effort to change and plan for the better.
Personally, I love the feeling of being busy. I would much rather be busy than bored—but even still, I would rather be intentionally busy than flippantly busy. I would rather work with all my heart, as working for the Lord, than to waste away on earthly things that have no significance. Focus your attention, focus your time, and focus on 2020.
In order to come alongside you in this upcoming year, Bible Studies for Life, in partnership with Famous at Home, has created some helpful guides that stir conversation, provide fun activities, and instill ways for you to get involved—all to help you intentionally focus your attention into making this year the best yet.
Sign up below to download the entire kit we’ve put together for you! There’s no obligation to buy anything, and we’ll even throw in four weeks of Bible Studies for Life to go with it.
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