It’s easy to let circumstances dictate what we do. It’s also easy to get a lot of stuff done. It’s hard to get a lot of important stuff done. It’s a battle that requires constant vigilance.
What is the important stuff that we need to get done? We need to work on our relationship with God and people, make the best use of our gifts, do self-care, do meaningful work, and take time to enjoy good things. Why does it seem so hard to get to this high quality stuff?
We must always remember that we are limited. As my economics professor said, everything is scarce, but time is absolutely scarce. No matter what you do, you have a limited amount of time. That makes what you do with time very important. You won’t get it back.
So, how can we move from being at the mercy of circumstances to getting a lot of important stuff done? I’m no expert, but I want to share my insights born of necessity from trying to hold together being a Pastor of a church, having seven kids, completing my doctorate, having active hobbies, and trying to connect with friends and the broader church. Like you, I have a lot of things I’m involved in and a lot of stuff I want to do. Here’s my basic plan for trying to do it all.
- Work on it. Instead of just doing things, I have tried to think about what I’m doing. In the moment, it may seem unproductive, but sitting back and asking ourselves what we need to do, what we don’t need to do, and what our priorities are is the foundation for being intentional and productive in doing the most important things.
- Cut the clutter. It’s probably as important to ask what we don’t want to do as what we need to do. Establish strict rules for your use of screens. They have a way of sucking all our time. They are designed by very, very smart people to keep you looking at them as long as possible. That’s why I think it is crucial to establish strict rules for their use without eliminating their use altogether.
- Make a list of less important things that are truly urgent and do them as quickly as possible. Ask yourself: what do I have to do today or this week? This includes things like taking out the trash, paying your bills, transporting children, and other administrative tasks. Make a list of them and do as many of them as you can as quickly as you can. If you don’t do them quickly, they have a way of hanging over your head and sabotaging everything else.
- Figure out what’s most important to you and schedule it. It’s not always easy to know what is most important. I like to ask myself, what would I do with a week if I didn’t have any obligations? That’s a way of using my imagination to discern my real values. Try this or a similar exercise. Once you’ve figured out what’s most important to you, schedule it. If playing the guitar is important to you. Have a time each day when you play. If developing a relationship with your kids is important, schedule a time to do things with them. What you don’t schedule rarely gets done.
- Prioritize your relationships. For most people, relationships are one of the most important things in their lives. However, we can go a long time without spending time with those we value most. Find a way to think through your relationships and be deliberate about spending time with people who are most important to you. This may seem somewhat cold, but the alternative is leaving our relationships to chance or whim.
- Always go back to today. Thinking of all the things you need to do can be overwhelming and can keep you from doing what we need to do in the present. When I get overwhelmed, I always go back to this question, what do I need to do today? I let go of the past and present and focus on that. This frees me to focus on what I most need to do.
- Keep working on it. Once you’ve got a plan, keep working on it and revising it. Keep asking if it reflects reality. Keep asking if these things are really your priority. Keep asking if you really need to do all that you’re doing. That’s how you get better and better at managing your time and adjust to changing circumstances.
Following these guidelines can keep you from wandering aimlessly and help you get a lot of important stuff done. What are some things that you have learned that have helped you get more important stuff done? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.