Prioritize, 2022

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

A New Year

Each year we have the opportunity to begin something new. And while many people take stock of their life in the new year, it can be done at any time. This episode is a fun one as my husband joins me in a conversation about our word for the year and goals.

Word of the Year

There are different sites where you can randomly pick a word for the year. This one does not require any login or email from you, so give it a try. Or, as you make your goals for the year and pray, a word may come to you. That is usually my method, though I use the website one for fun! Our word for this year is “Prioritize.”

A few of our goals

We both want to read the Bible in a year. Deacon John will also read 15 minutes a day and I want to read 1 business book a month.

A goal that has been in the works since 2020 for me is to complete my spiritual direction training. God willing, that will be done by the end of January! Writing another book is on my list again. A new one is to have a reactive day once a month where I can spend time sewing, crafting or some other creative work.

Why not come with a word for yourself and/or set some goals for 2022? I’d love to hear your words and why/how you’ll apply it in your life.

And don’t forget, sign up for my email newsletter to stay up to date with Live NotLukewarm!.

Time Management

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Time ManagementPodcast #15

Time Management

 

We are all given the same 24 hours in a day, so how are we spending them and are we spending them wisely. Let’s take a look at the different ways that we can hone in on our day and manage our time more efficiently.

 

Before you start looking at time management, grab an oil, say a prayer, and do some deep four-square breathing to help clear your mind and see what God is calling you to do. Frankincense, lavender, stress away and clarity are all amazing choices.

 

#1 Goals: What are they and do you have any?

 

Goals are super important. Without them, we don’t honestly know what we are working towards. Our goals are ours and they can be whatever we want them to be but typically, they fall into one of these 7 areas of our life: (taken from Oola) field(work/job), finance, fitness (wellness goals), faith, family, fun(recreation), and friends(relationships). Look at what areas you feel happy in and then find the areas that need work or some balance. Write down these goals so you have a solid plan.

 

#2 Make a schedule: what are you telling your day to do?

 

If you don’t have a planned thing are bound to go amiss. Schedules can feel confining but they are absolutely necessary if we want to manage and be responsible for our time.  Can they be derailed? Can they go off course? Yes! But when we have a schedule we can hop back on at any time. We can be the best stewards of our time.

 

#3 Break down your day: Make it manageable

 

When we have our goal and set a schedule, it makes breaking our day down much easier and more manageable. We can see the goals. We can see our schedule. We are able to make sure that we have the break down to fit in all the areas we need to bring us to the life God has planned for us. When we break down our day we can see the areas that we can add the things we want and take out the things that do not serve us.

 

#4 Prioritize: What is taking precedence in your day?

 

When we prioritize our day, we are able to see, by a list of priorities, what actually needs to be done. We are then able to be more efficient with our time and energy. This can even allow us to see, what might be creeping onto the list that shouldn’t be there.

 

#5 Communicate: Tell your family or those around you what the new game plan is.

 

When we are managing our time, it is crucial that we are able to communicate this to our family, close friends or team members, so that they can help us out. They can catch that vision and actively participate in reaching the goals or helping you reach them. It also teaches your family(spouse and/or children), friends or team members to take a look at how they are managing their time. Are they being good stewards of their time or wasting time.

 

Some last minute notes:

+ Be self- aware and self-motivated

+ Stay focused

+ Manage your stress

+ Work effectively- do NOT multi-task

+ Be organized

 

Remember we all given the same 24 hours in a day. It is up to us to decide how we will choose to use them. Are we take time to watch tv or scroll on social media for an hour a night and complain that we don’t have time to read that book, workout, set a budget or make a healthy meal? If so, we might need to look a little closer at how we are truly managing our time.

 

As always, be grateful & have faith!
God Bless!