Time Well Spent
here’s to managing the time we’ve been given well
I was recently given a perspective & a fact: “Life is lived in hours” & there are 168 Hours in a week.
What I believe: What we do with our time matters.
What I want: To be a good steward of my time + live for what matters most.
The weekly 168-hour cycle is big enough to give a true picture of our lives. Years & decades are made up of a mosaic of repeating patterns of 168 hours. Yes, there is room for randomness, & the mosaic will evolve over time. But whether you pay attention to the pattern, it is still a choice.
Laura Vanderkam
Let’s choose to pay attention. To notice the pattern.
Here’s how it works:
Print out a physical copy of the 168 Hours Worksheets. Put it in a convenient place & have a pen close by.
Write down how you spend your time in 30 minute increments. Check-in throughout your day. Record the task or activity. Keep the note short.
Get a highlighter & color code 3-4 categories (ie. sleep, work, time spent with children, etc.)
Take a look at how you’re spending your time. Use the data to take a look at your life.
Laura offers this advice: Keep a time log until you are satisfied that you have a complete picture of how you spend your time.
questions to ask:
Are the priority areas of your life receiving priority amounts of time?
Where would you like to spend more time?
Where would you like to spend less time?
I think you should do it this month.
Track your time for a week (or two)!
why it matters:
There are 168 hours in a week…
Because there are days when we are a mess. We are navigating this life, our circumstances, our job, & relationships. We are at the office, in traffic, back at the office. Sitting in carline. Running to the grocery store. Watching a show. We spend time doing grown up things like cooking, cleaning, & laundry. Trying to keep up. Always feeling tired.
There’s a relationship between what’s on your mind & how much is getting done:
Tracking your time helps you realize how moments could be better spent.
Tracking your time helps you realize you have more than you think.
Tracking your time makes you rethink how much time was spent on the things that didn’t matter & new ways you could live more intentionally.
Life is lived in hours…
If I want to write the book, I must dedicate time to writing.
If I want to be a good mother, I must spend time with my children.
A marriage requires conversation, quality time, & intimacy.
To keep an organized home, I must show up daily.
If I want to be healthy, eating well, exercise, & getting enough sleep are sure to be scheduled.
Let’s choose to pay attention. To notice the pattern.
notes:
You can choose how you spend your 168 hours.
You can live for what matters most.
We’re not on a hamster wheel. Our days are not about filling each & every pocket of time.
Leave room for the Holy Spirit.
If you’re ever feeling short on time. If you wish you had more time. Start somewhere. Track it.