Some Time Value of Time Tips

Yesterday, I wrote a short post called “The Time Value of … Time.” If you didn’t read it, please take a moment and do so before proceeding. Here is the link.

I waste too much time. I’ll admit it. I am really striving to do better, though, in living my life in true lock-step with what I most want to be and to accomplish. I don’t know if I’ll ever be perfect at it, but I can at least try.

There is no way I could list every possible tip to help in this area, but let me share a few things I am trying, and then you can share yours in the comments.

1. Track Your Time. This may seem a little weird, but take one week and write down everything  you do. Don’t attempt to change anything, but just track a normal week. Write down how long meals are, how much time you spend watching TV, how much time you spend at work, reading your Bible, playing with your kids, sleeping…everything.

2. Evaluate Yourself. After the week, take a look at your time log. I think most of us would be shocked at how much time we spend doing things that just do not really matter. We might even be a bit embarrassed, but at least this gives us a starting point. It will show distractions, and should also show us areas where we have free time that we didn’t realize we had.

3. Limit Yourself on Distractions. It’s fine to watch some TV or take in a movie, but you need to set boundaries for yourself. Maybe 2 TV shows per day, or one movie per week. If you must, put a stopwatch or alarm clock by your computer for when you are online.

4. Multitask. I have read before that no one can truly multitask, but there are certain things we can do at the same time. For example, often I will listen to podcasts while I am typing emails or doing some administrative work. I am not too concerned with hearing every word of the podcast, but I can get the main gist of the program while still doing something else. Think of certain things you can do in concert like this.

5. Use Down Time for Productivity. Do you really need to watch the commercials? I have learned to hit the mute button and read or do something else during commercials when I’m watching a ball game, and that has helped tremendously in doing important things.

6. Write Down Your Dreams, Goals, and Desires. The phrase “bucket list” has become all the rage lately, but those who are successful in any area of life have known for years that you must write down what you want to accomplish. When you write these things down, you will be more likely to evaluate your decisions in light of your long-term goals. Will memorizing the life story of every person on American Idol really help you be a better dad? Will being a super-grand-wizard-lord-fairy-dude on World of Warcraft help you know God’s Word better? Again, there is nothing wrong with these things, but owning your dreams and goals will help you limit yourself in these other areas of life. Also, it is okay to have some “fun” goals for life, but they need to be written down, too. This is all about clarity and focus.

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As you can see, each of these has a tie to two major concepts: “focus” and “long-term.” What would you add are some things that help you focus on long-term, important goals and dreams?