A Minute by Minute Guide to Maximizing Time Management

Let’s start by doing a little calculation. You may want to do it yourself too since I am certainly not a math wiz. Anyway, how many minutes are in a day? 60 minutes in an hour x 24 hours = 1440. Now, considering we are asleep for about 440 of those minutes, let’s say we have 1000 useable ones a day.

1000 minutes seems like a lot. And it is! The problem is they don’t seem like a lot because we often don’t use them wisely. That is the key…wisely managing the time we have, no matter how little it is. I’ve shared here on more than one occasion a tip I learned about breaking the day into 15 minute chunks. 15 is a good number because you can get a significant amount done, and a short enough time that if you catch yourself after wasting a few of these blocks, you can still make it up and accomplish something.

So why am I talking about 1 minute blocks today? I was reminded about something I heard from Abraham Hicks about manifesting your desires. Abraham said that it takes only 1 minute of solid, focused visualization to begin the process of manifesting your goal. I don’t know how this number was determined, but I do know that Abraham Hicks is one of the great pros for manifesting greatness in life. As a result, I am listening to whatever is being suggested.

In thinking about this, I realize how many minutes, hours, and even days I let slip by without taking time to visualize life the way I want it to be. When we remove our focus on what our life is now and all the things we don’t want, and place it instead on what we do want our life to be, it begins to manifest into the desired state. And all it takes is a minute at a time to visualize that greatness.

I am not saying that we need to visualize and focus on every single one of these minutes. The way our human mind is wired makes this virtually impossible. However, use at least some. We have a thousand minutes a day! Even if you find it difficult, you can start with a small number. For example, start with just 10 minutes a day of solid visualization. Then as you become more proficient you can increase that time. If you stick to it, you will begin to see positive results, which will inspire you to continue. The key is staying focused on your goal, and taking small chunks of time during the day, even if those chunks are as small as a minute. It’s much better than going thousands of minutes without spending time to pray for your greatness and see it in your mind.

How many minutes will you use to build your greatness today? The answer is totally in your control. So is your wonderful future. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

Don’t Have The Time?…Find It!

I often share about the importance of finding the time to pray, meditate on your goals, and visualize life as you wish it to be. This is because you often receive what you focus your thoughts on. The problem is that, as easy it is to spend a few minutes praying and visualizing, many people don’t take this necessary opportunity. The reason is almost always the same…I don’t have the time.

I understand that time is precious, and all of us often fight the clock. My question then is this. Do you have time to watch your favorite TV show each week? Do you have time to read novels from that author you love? Do you have time to read all of the bad news in the paper?

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with watching your favorite program or reading your favorite book. My point is that, even though you don’t have time for so many things, you MAKE time to do those things. My point is that if you can make time to do those things, you can easily make time to pray, visualize, read the Bible, etc.

It’s all about deliberately MAKING the time to do these very important things. I was learning this the hard way. I wanted my life to change in a big way. I knew I had to pray, think positive thoughts, and visualize the successful life I was dreaming about to make it happen. However, I often went many days without doing any of it. My life wasn’t changing. In fact, I was getting more frustrated, and I was heading in the opposite direction. I then realized that the only way I was going to get that time was that if I deliberately took it myself. No excuses. I was going to do it no matter what, regardless of the situation. It even helped me double task, as I still watched the sports I wanted to watch, and just did some of the mental exercises during the breaks. I will say though, it’s best if you can fully focus on your thoughts, God’s word, etc.

This concept is true for anything in life. If you want to get in better shape and have been putting off exercise, you simply need to deliberately block off the time to do so. If you are looking to call that friend you’ve been meaning to speak with, it’s just a matter of purposely setting the time aside to do so. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but the more you deliberately put time aside for these important things, the more progress you will see. Even more amazing, is the more you do this, the more it will seem that you have more time available to you. It’s the same 24 hours a day, but it will seem like you have more if it.

I challenge you to think of something you’ve been meaning to get done, but put off because of lack of time. Use that excuse no more, and deliberately put aside a chunk of time to accomplish it today. Even if you don’t completely finish the task, you will be much closer than you would have been, and you will feel better about it. You will also be less likely to procrastinate and will quickly set up another time where you can complete it.

I have accomplished so much more in my life since I just decided to deliberately take time to do the most important things in life. Yes, I still have a lot less time than I would like, but if you deliberately seek the time to pray, visualize, or do whatever you are looking to do, you will find it. Enjoy the blessings : )

A Simple Way To Get Ahead…Even If You Don’t Have The Time

I find it frustrating sometimes when the business of life’s obligations gets in the way of what I really like to do. My job (both of them), along with yard work and other obligations have prevented me from writing on this site. I also like to read what other bloggers have to say, and have not had time to do that either.

It’s great how, when I need answers to questions, God takes me directly to the source I need. I read an article that talked about this very frustration. How do we beat this endless cycle? I want to do other things in life, yet there are currently no ways around the necessary obligations. There’s simply not enough time to pursue those opportunities.

What I read in the article was something I’ve been told countless times. It’s funny how I’ve also given countless other people this same advice. Here it is…seek first the kingdom of God, and all else will be added unto you. (Matt 6:33). It’s a matter of focus. When you focus on God and His power within you first, all else seems to take care of itself. All of a sudden there is time because the opportunities are presented to you on a silver platter. Things start to happen on their own, and the right situations present themselves as well as the time to pursue them.

If you are feeling that helpless feeling of wondering how to get further ahead, but seem trapped in your current circumstances, I recommend you maintain your focus on your Creator. Let go and let God do His thing. Do your best in your current circumstances and fulfill those obligations, regardless of how “in the way” they are. Focus on God and have faith, and the details will take care of themselves. Then when the opportunity presents itself, act on it and enjoy the success.

I’ve seen the benefits of seeking God first many times in my life. That’s why I often suggest it, and I know that’s why I was reminded again during my difficult period this week. You too can experience the benefits of seeking God first in your life. You’ll see how much more He can accomplish than you, and how the time you are missing all of a sudden becomes available for you to prosper and succeed. I promise! Enjoy the blessings : )

Helpful Advice To Reach Your Goals

The other night I listened to teleconference where a friend of mine was interviewed. She just published her first book, and shared details about it, as well as her background, and some other information.

At the end of the interview, listeners were invited to ask questions or provide comments. Since I am an aspiring author with limited time at the moment, I asked how she budgeted her time, and what advice she could provide about getting things done with limited time to work with. Her response was extremeley helpful. She said nothing earth-shattering, yet it was timeless, logical advice that I feel the need to share.

The advice she shared was to do a little bit each day. Even if it’s just a paragraph a day, a little bit of progress is better than nothing. It keeps you going in the right direction, and eventually your progress snowballs into the success you are seeking.

I am the type of person that sometimes becomes frustrated if things don’t happen right away. Often times if I am not able to build Rome in a day, I tend to give up and think it’s not possible. Then I fail to act, and the goal does not get accomplished. However, according to my friend’s advice, it doesn’t have to be built in a day. Slow and steady wins the race, and as long as a little bit of progress is made, I am going in the right direction.

If you are having difficulty moving towards your goal, I recommend this advice to you. You don’t have to do it all today. Just do as much as you can. Even if it’s a small piece of the puzzle, if you keep connecting the pieces, it will eventually come togather.

I’ve read it in several places…do all you can do today to get closer to the goal. Perhaps today is the day you accomplish it. If not, you are at least that much closer to it. It’s much better than sitting idle and frustrated because you don’t see the possibility of it being done.

I understand that time doesn’t sit still for us, and most of us would say we don’t have enough of it. However, even if it’s just a few minutes, do something that will bring you closer to the success you are seeking. It’s amazing that, when you do your part, God does His and works in amazing ways that we can’t even imagine. Your efforts, as small as they are, will be honored and rewarded.

Please don’t be frustrated by lack of time. Use whatever of it you have, and take the small steps necessary to reach your great success. You will be thanksful you did. Enjoy the blessings : )

The 15 Minute Challenge

I recently posted a time management article about breaking the day down to 15 minute increments to help manage the day more effectively and become more productive. It has been very helpful to me.

I recently read about another similar challenge that I wanted to share. It was from a minister who, in order to keep in close contact with God, made it a challenge to pray for one second out of every minute. As I read this, I thought it was a good challenge. However, it is hard enough for me to keep track of 15 minutes, never mind 1. When I thought of this further, I realized it is only one minute of every hour. I thought, “that’s it?” Only one minute every hour? This is easy to manage, but I thought I could do even better than that.

As presented in my recent post, it is very effective to break the day down to 15 minute chunks. You can manage it effectively, and things get done. I now present another challenge based on the information above. How about, in every one of those 15 minute chunks, taking one minute to stop, say a short prayer, think a wonderful thought, or do anything to connect with God at that moment.

Your next question may now be “does it work”? I will say that, at first, it is not easy to do. Throughout the first days, I missed several of my divine minutes. However, I am finding that by stopping every 15 minutes to connect with my Creator, I am reaping a bundle of benefits and blessings. I feel more peace; I feel much more in control as I know my day is being handled by the all-knowing Creator who looks out or my best interests; Instead of focusing on fears, I am focusing more on the power that is in me and readily available to me. As a result, I am also happier and more confident. I can already see the positive reactions of those around me.

This may seem like a difficult challenge, but the more I work it into my routine the easier it becomes. Do I still get caught up in the busy day and forget? Of course. However, it is becoming the simple truth that the more I follow this guideline, the more I experience the blessings mentioned above.

I now invite you to take this 15 minute challenge. I believe it will increase your days in a positive way. Please share your victories.

Enjoy the blessings : )

A Helpful Time Management Tip

Are you looking for ways to manage your time more effectively? If you are like me you can always use some extra help in this area.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received recently comes from Jim Britt in his book, “Do This, Get Rich”. In one of the chapters he suggests breaking the day down to 15 minute blocks, trying to accomplish as much as possible in each of these blocks. This is in line with his theme that the most successful people are given no more time in a particular day than anyone else. It’s just that they use their time more effectively.

After taking a closer look at this theory it makes sense. The author points out that in an average day we have about 60 of these blocks. By focusing on each of these 15 minute blocks, it helps us become more aware of the time and using it effectively. He mentions that 15 minutes is enough time to accomplish something, and short enough that, if we are moving off track, we can take corrective action quickly without wasting a great deal of time.

Since I need much help in managing my time this classic procrastinator and time waster decided to give it a try. I will admit that focusing on every 15 minute block is not an easy task. In the first weeks I tried this it was difficult to make it through a whole day of managing each 15 minute time frame. However, gradually improved efficiency by one or two blocks a day. I’m still not perfect at it, but I believe I am setting the tone for greater efficiency that eventually will become routine.

I have mentioned this information to some of my family and friends who have said they noticed an immediate difference in time awareness and efficiency. Overall, I love this philosophy because it can help us become more aware of our actions, time spent on them, and the results we are actually producing. I recommend giving it a try. Please let me know how it goes.

Enjoy the blessings : )

Disappearing Time

Some of the worst words a teacher can here are…summer vacation is over. It hurts to say it. It hurts to think it. Don’t get me wrong. I like what I do. I appreciate the fact that I am lucky to have a job, especially with what seems like billions of teachers losing theirs. Still, summer vacation is my favorite time of year. I love the peace of knowing I can go at my own pace, I am stress-free, and have much more time for personal enjoyment.

All good things must come to an end. This is my last week of summer vacation, and the hurried pace has already begun. The part time job I’ve had this summer has all of a sudden provided full time work. And I need to make some preparations before going back to school on Monday.

However, all is not lost. I have sworn to myself that I will be a much better time manager when school starts. Yes, I’ve said this before, and it seems like I became worse. This time is different. A while ago I shared a great tip from an author about time management. He suggested breaking the day into 15 minute chunks of time. 15 minutes is enough to accomplish something, and short enough to get back on track if we stray. When we consciously focus on those 15 minute bits of time and plan accordingly, it is amazing how much more we can get done. After a while it becomes habit.

What’s to gain? First, we are least likely to procrastinate. The result is then peace of mind. Remember how positive you feel when the to-do list is taken care of? This instead of the stress you feel when it’s not, and you have those uncompleted tasks clogging your mind. Also, when the necessary things are done, you will find that you have more time to enjoy yourself and do those fun things you’ve been putting off. You can’t lose!

As I said, all good things must come to an end. However, the time management lessons I learn over the next few weeks could be the start of great things. I challenge anyone else to take this same step. Break your day into 15 minute sections. Try to accomplish something in each of them. I definitely believe it will help you as it helps me when I stay disciplined with this approach.

Have an excellent day!