I’ve been thinking about time. I’m starting to actually believe there’s enough time for every good thing in my life, including relaxation! This change from not-enough-time to plenty-of-time thinking is an especially well timed, as I’m just finishing up a working vacation in Mexico, following a 4-day retreat!
This surprisingly positive thinking seems influenced by four realizations:
- Letting go of compulsive perfectionism makes us better;
- Patience is easier when the pressure is off;
- We don’t have to figure out all our time management issues on our own; and
- The help we get reduces stress!
When it comes to perfectionism, I find it helpful to embrace the 80-20 rule — that 20% of effort produces 80% of results. For years, I’ve seen this principle applied to everything from economics and tax policy to email management. Nevertheless, I’ve too often ignored it in my life, spending inordinate amounts of time trying to perform every task as if it were a final exam, even striving for 100% on life’s metaphorical pop quizzes! Lowering my standards to 80% on 80% of what I do — that is, reducing my perfectionism while still allowing for excellence where it’s important — means more time for more good things! It also means energy isn’t drained by relentless striving. Devoting the saved time to play or relaxation can also make focused time yield even better rewards because we’re fresher.
Less Pressure, Less Stress, More Patience? The second word of Chapter 3, verse 1, of the Book of Ecclesiastes verse is only one letter long but is really important: “There’s a time for every purpose under heaven.” A time implies that, even if the proposed activity serves a great cause, this isn’t necessarily the time. The indefinite article “a” means the time may be tomorrow or next year! The verse doesn’t say “Now’s the time!” I’m more patient with myself (and less stressed) when I know my good idea or worthwhile task can wait until another time!
So how do we figure out whether this time is the time for a particular use of your time and energy? An amazing ad’s been running for some time about a fantastic radio station that gives the best advice time management advice ever. You’re invited to call in your questions or just tune in and hear advice given to others like you. I came across the ad yesterday and here’s what it says:
[su_box title=”TUNE IN & TUNE UP YOUR TIME ” style=”glass” box_color=”#47142D”]
WSDM, the Voice of Wisdom call-in talk show, is broadcasting worldwide, 24/7, with great advice from an all-knowing and eminently qualified host. He wants YOU to call or tune in — first, because you’re the station’s ideal target audience, and second, because the host’s awesome advice will answer questions about time (or anything else) wisely. Whether you’re a first time caller or a regular, you’re encouraged to present questions daily! You have ready access to someone who’s in touch with your reality. He’s been through weakness and testing—he experienced it all and he overcame every obstacle.
WSDM PROMISES, if you live the way the host advises, you’ll get these free gifts:
affection- exuberance
- serenity, and
- the remarkable ability to marshal and direct your energies wisely.
The host will also advise you not to allow yourself to get fatigued doing good. He’ll let you know when it’s the right time to work for everyone’s benefit. In fact, if you trust him, WSDM promises you endless energy and boundless strength! So just call in and get what our host is ready to give. Accept his help![/su_box]
You may recognize where that ad’s been running for centuries: Galatians 5:22-23 and 6:9-10 and Hebrews 4:16 (The Message).
I submit that God/Wisdom/Spirit/the Still Small Voice Within (take your pick) can guide us as to whether now’s the time or not, as well as whether the proposed activity is a “purpose under heaven,” and whether it’s one assigned to us. After all, that voice of Wisdom knows that we need downtime as well as “productive” time (i.e., time spent with an end product to show for it). The voice of Wisdom also knows if the particular task is something that is best done at all, and if so, who’s best suited to do it.
But discerning might take me more time that just doing it, you say? Not necessarily!
Here are three things you might try to help you tune into WSDM, plus a quick time-related challenge for the week.
- Set aside Morning Quiet Time. Try reading The Message version of the Bible, which is in a vernacular that’s really down to earth. Think of what you read as God’s opening of a conversation with you. To continue the dialogue, journal your questions or comments to God in equally down to earth words. Then be still, with an open mind and a pen in hand, and take notes from what you hear the voice of Wisdom prompting you to write. (This week, I’ve been enjoying one chapter a day from Galatians and Ephesians. You can quickly find them in The Message version on www.BibleGateway.com.)
- Mentally turn on WSDM’s Talk Show whenever you feel stuck. Imagine you’re going to call in and you want to frame your question well by becoming aware of what you need to find out, what you’re bothered about, or what decision needs to be made. In other words, identify specifics rather than fiddling around in generalized anxiety, confusion, overwhelm, procrastination, or repetitive negative thinking. You might explore this by asking:
- Where in your body do you feel stuck?
- What 3 words best describe how you feel about this issue?
- When or where do you feel stuck?
- Have you felt stuck like this before?
- If so, how’d you get beyond it?
Now try to narrow down your question(s) and present them to the host. You could do this by writing the question, reading it before bed, and sleeping with it under your pillow for a few nights in a row. In the morning, write down any responses you wake up with.
- Seek the advice of a trusted and godly advisor, as suggested in The Book of Proverbs. (I’d tell you exactly where but I just used the 80-20 Rule!)
Here’s a challenge for those who often struggle with feeling pressed for time. This week play with the concept that there’s a time for every purpose under heaven. Repeat that statement to yourself whenever your self-talk implies a lack of time.
Be gentle with yourself, too. If all this seems difficult, just give one idea in this post a 5-minute try a few times in the week and see if you feel even 5% more peaceful about time issues and divine guidance. Or you could even just spend 30 seconds pretending you believe that there’s a time for every purpose under heaven!
It’s the beginning of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. Just maybe you’re being called to pick one of these ideas to try for the remaining 39 days.