525,600 minutes

Every day we choose how to spend our time. We have to decide how we will make best use of the 24 hours we have each day. If you are spontaneous you might not stick to a strict schedule, but rather let things happen as they arise. If you are like me, you need a schedule to keep you on track.

We all have “work” that needs to get done. Some will work for a paycheck, some for fame, others for passion and some may work out of obligation. Regardless of whether your work provides you with a 5 figure income or not, we can choose what we can do with the time when we are not doing “work”. For me, my work looks a lot different than others. I don’t earn an income at this time, aside from occasional commissions as a Beachbody coach. My work day involves laundry, cleaning, chauffeuring kids around, cooking and doing volunteer work for my church.  I also build exercise into my “work” day so that it doesn’t interfere with my family time once everyone else is at home for the day.

One of the biggest benefits of my “job” is freedom. In this season of my life I have been given a gift to share with others. Availability. I have time during the workday to invest in others. Sometimes that means pitching in when someone needs childcare, making extra meals to take to those in need or volunteering my time to help others.  While I know my season of life likely differs from yours, I want to challenge you to make room in your life to be available for yourself and for others.

We all are given the same 24 hours each day.  You can choose to spend your evenings catching up on shows on Netflix or Hulu, or you could invest time in building relationships with others.  Instead of wasting an evening on the internet, spend time serving someone who needs help.  Be available.

In our busy society, it’s easy to get bogged down and over-committed.  It’s good to take a look at your schedule and evaluate if the way you are spending your time reflects your values and priorities. If you know your health is important but you sit down in front of the tv with a bag of chips and bowl of ice cream instead of going for a walk then you might want to re-think your priorities or make a different choice.  If you say your family time is important yet you spend it with everyone in the same room playing on their electronic devices, maybe you have lost sight of what quality time means.  If you feel lonely and wish you had friends yet choose to stay home alone instead of investing in relationships with others then your loneliness will just continue.

How are you spending your time outside of your workplace obligations? 

Do you have an extra 30 minutes a day that you can invest in yourself? 

When was the last time you read a book, listened to a podcast or took a class about something you enjoy or want to learn?

Have you invested in community with others?

Do you know someone who could use a little extra help?

If so, what can you do today to be available to serve them?

If you feel like the busyness of life is wearing you down, take time to track how you spend your time.

What small tweaks in your schedule can you make so that you are able to do more for yourself and others? 

In a year from now, will you look back and regret how you spent your time?

What can you start or stop doing today so that a year from now you will be proud of the person you have become and how you are spending your time?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope it was a good use of your time!

If you are reading, please take time to comment and let me know your thoughts.

I’d love to hear what topics you’d be interested in reading about on a more frequent basis.