Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Balancing Life Series: Priorities vs. Reality

At the risk of sounding very corny, I have composed some lyrics today for our blog time together.  I have either had too much coffee or not enough. 


In memory of Whitney Houston (one of my faves growing up), I would like for you to sing my lyrics to the tune of "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" If you don't know the song, well, you should. Anyway, sing along:


Time in the sky
photo credit


Where does all the time go?
Can it find its way home
Back to my calendar
of a month that's flying by?
And If I really need it
Won't it always be there?
I look at my time
and I know that it is all, up to me












Still reading? Whew. Thanks to the few of you who continued after that. I am continuing the Balancing Life Series. If you missed the first two posts,  you can read them here:




Seriously, we wonder where our time goes. We pause at the end of the day and think, "What did I really do today?" If you are like me and find yourself having these discussions with yourself often, we might need some intervention.


You have heard the old adage, "You can identify someone's priorities by looking at their checkbook and their calendar." I believe there is some truth to that statement. How we spend our time or our money does indeed show what or who is important to us. But maybe what we want to be important to us doesn't really line up with what is showing up on the calendar or in the checkbook. Time for CHANGE.


I want to issue a PRIORITY CHALLENGE. Yes, I want us to take this next week starting today and ending with next Wednesday and really look at what's important to us. 
What are we going to do?

  • Make a list of priorities -- what we really WANT to be important in our lives.
  • Take a blank calendar and actually write in what you did in thirty minute blocks. Include everything - eating, sleeping, family time, working, shopping, cooking, reading, etc. Need a blank calendar? (Find one here.)
  • I know many of us already have calendars with appointments and such on them - you can use them to remember things, but not to actually record for this week.
What I have found by doing this is that my reality (what I actually do with my time) does not line up with my priorities (how I want to use my time.) If I want my family to know that they are important to me, I need to use my time in a way that truly reflects that.

I know life is crazy. Trust me...mine is too. (just read my post about my life on a mine train.) But this challenge is to help us both. The worst that could happen is for 2012 to fly by and we wonder...where did all the time go? Let's not wonder anymore...let's figure it out!

If you are in on this challenge, then just comment, I'm in! We'll check back in next Wednesday and I might just give away a prize! (Like a CD with me singing my new time lyrics to Whitney Houston's music.) And if you are reading by email...I love you and you can comment here.

I believe God wants us to be good stewards and managers of everything He has given us - including our time. Living for ONE means using our time in a way that ultimately glorifies Him.

Living for ONE,


Kelli


linking with Courtney at Women Living Well








5 comments:

Kimberly said...

I'm in. This is timely, I just spent the past two days re-writing my 2012 goals and am revisiting where my time is being spent. Glad to have the accountability! :)

Kelli Williams Wommack said...

Awesome, Kimberly...we are in this together. I will be praying for you!

Diane bailey said...

You and I are on a similar writing path. I posted something just this morning ! Here is to living our lives for Christ !

Bekah said...

I will attempt to take this challenge, as long as you promise that you won't be handing out your own CDs:)
Love you!

Unknown said...

Faboulous Idea! I already have a list of 101 goals for the year and while I developed my goals I tried to keep my priorities in mind. I should definately do this to help me stay on track.