What Does Life Training Teach us About Time?

Mother Theresa, Michelangelo and Helen Keller all had 24 hours a day.  Look what they did with their time. People tell me all too frequently ... I need more time! Oh, really?

I’m not exactly sure if any of us has the privilege to be better time managers. Should we manage our time better and allocate more time for our priorities? You’ve heard the expression “first things first.” The first step in understanding the power of time is to understand that it is limited.  We all get 60 minute hours and 24 hour days. Why is it then that some people get a lot more done?  We know the answer.  They use their time smarter thus we need to follow their example, if they can do it why can’t we?

I’m not going to advocate cramming more into your days.  They are probably too full already!  This is one of those cases where less is more. The less “total” things you do ... the more “important” things you’ll get done!  We have to learn to eliminate the fluff! I’m not talking about eliminating all your “recreational activities.”  They are important. I’m talking about “fluff.” People who seem to have no time to do anything... and yet they watch TV 5 hours a day, are way out of balance.  It’s not a matter of not having time ... it’s a matter of not using the time you have wisely.

Start of by making a daily “to-do” list will save you hours and you will accomplish more than ever.  I’ve heard of men whose wives make them a “honey-do” list for weekends.  You know what I mean honey do this honey do that. Through this they know more will get done. When I make my morning list I put a little line beside the numbers.  Then as I finish, I check it off.  Sometimes I get done before lunch what I had planned for the day. So I reward myself ... with a special lunch or something like that. I like what Erma Bombeck once said ... “Seize the moment. Remember all those people on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart!”

An expert on time management was speaking to a group of highly motivated overachievers at college, and announced a quiz.  He pulls out a large, wide-mouthed jar and sets it before them.  Next, he places about a dozen fist-sized rocks, one at a time, into the jar, until no more will fit.  ''Is it full?'' he asks.  ''Yes,'' responds the class.  ''Oh really?'' he asks.  So he reaches under the table and produces a bucket of gravel, which he manages to work down into the spaces between the larger rocks.  ''Is it full now?'' he asks.

Wising up, one answered, ''Probably not.''  Sure enough, he reaches under the table and produces a bucket of sand, which he pours into the empty spaces.  ''Is it full now?'' he asks.  ''No!'' reply the students confidently.  So he takes a pitcher of water and fills it to the brim.  Then he asks, ''What is my point?''

1. One responds with the obvious connection that a high achiever would make. ''The point is,'' he said,'' no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!''

''No,'' the speaker replied, ''that's not the point.  The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.''

So, evaluate what is most important in your life and schedule that in first, or you might find yourself a slave to the emergency situation, while neglecting what is most important.

What are these big rocks? Your priorities are the things you should put into your jar first.

You may say, "Gary, this is nothing new!"  I know that. But the most powerful principles are often acknowledged, but seldom utilized. Are you making your “goals for the day” list? Enough said.

1. Here’s another “ebyism” for you. “Never confuse activity with accomplishment!”

Being productive is being busy on trying to be productive should be your main concern.

Being a good steward of your time does not mean world domination.  It means balance!

Here’s another quick point.

Everything you have accomplished you traded your time for that. You have sacrificed hard work and steadfast discipline to achieve them.  Always make absolutely sure that whatever you are trading your time for is worth it!

Regardless of being rich, poor, male or female always keep in mind that we are all given equally the same time for each day, a whole 24 hours to use wisely. Your worth is more important, your personal work for your personal good measures up to your personal mission in life. Spend your time wisely by engaging in effective activities investing on the essential skills for life’s success.