Today, we’re looking at how we spend our time instead of our money. How we use our time and our money clearly reflects what we value. If values and activities don’t match up, perhaps it’s time for some change.
Christine Giri, “The Time Tamer,” sent out a valuable little nugget via facebook a while ago: “You’ll never find time, you have to make time.”
So true. As I contemplate the idea of “taking control” I’m thinking of the things I’ve done to make room in my own life for more important things. I’m also thinking of some things I still need to work in somehow.
Some steps I’ve taken in my journey toward living out my values:
- Had to make some considerable shifts in the budget to hire my Take Shape for Life coach. It’s definitely been worthwhile: I’ve lost 41 lbs. Since November.
- Stopped playing Webkinz (yeah, it’s a kid’s website, but I really liked it!). That pastime sucked up way too much time.
- Work with our business coach, meet twice monthly.
- Cancelled the cable a long time ago. Still don’t miss it.
These are some important things I have regularly scheduled and I schedule other things around them:
- Walk with my friend Jen 30-40 minutes, Monday through Friday (rain or shine).
- Walk my youngest to and from school.
- Have snack time with the boys after school and before homework. It’s a great time to visit with them.
- Weekly coffee date (and business planning meeting) with John.
- Sunday morning church.
- Weekly women’s Bible study—awesome ladies there!
- Attending short-term study at church (my oldest son wanted to go and I definitely want to support him in his desire to learn and grow.
- Tuck the boys into bed each night (although John helps with that some, too.)
- Hold position of Education Coordinator in my business networking group (BNI) chapter; requires weekly 2-3 minute educational presentation in addition to the usual commitment to attend the weekly meeting.
- Monday-Friday blog: John blogs for a week then I blog for a week, etc.
- Weekly phone visit with my prayer partner (friend of almost 20 years).
- No drugs or alcohol (self control was, you could say, lacking when I was younger and I have no reason to believe it’d be any different now).
- Regular visits with my doctor to monitor my health (honestly, she’ll hold my birth control prescription hostage until I come in for a follow-up—it’s very effective).
Some things I don’t value as highly (apparently), but that’s OK for now:
- Housework.
- Yard work.
- Regular dentist appointments.
Some important areas I still need to work on:
- Daily time reading (i.e. listening to) the Bible.
- Consistent work schedule.
- Shifting more age-appropriate responsibilities to my kids.
- More time with my husband.
- Quit diet soda and fast food.
- Visit with my family (not living with me) more.
- Stay in touch with a some friends regularly on facebook.
- Learn to read Braille and re-learn using the computer with a screen reader instead of relying on my decreasing vision.
Well, it’s good to see that I’ve made some good progress in some key areas. It helps me feel good about the things I’ve successfully worked into my life. It gives me more confidence and courage to work toward integrating in the other things, too. I’m not sure exactly how to make enough time yet. I guess I might need to cut back on naps and playing games on my phone to make more time (darn).
Your Turn
Remember, this list reflects things that I personally value. The things you want for your life can be very different. I encourage you to take a look at what you’re already doing that’s important to you and at what you want to be doing or doing more of because it’s important to you.
