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:

1. Print out a physical copy of the 168 Hours Worksheets. Put it in a convenient place & have a pen close by.

2. 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.

3. Get a highlighter & color code 3-4 categories (ie. sleep, work, time spent with children, etc.)

4. 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:

1. Are the priority areas of your life receiving priority amounts of time?

2. Where would you like to spend more time?

3. 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.