Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. — Benjamin Franklin
Learning not to squander time is an ongoing precess for me, but here are a few things I have found that help.
- Use “waiting time.” Keep a book on hand, or verses on cards to memorize, or note cards to jot messages in or a craft project to work on when you are in a doctor’s waiting room or waiting to pick up a child from an activity. Or use the time for things you’ve been needing to think about (what to get someone for their birthday, how you want to redecorate a room, etc.). Or witness to others. Or just relax and enjoy a little down time.
- Group errands together when possible, such as doing everything you need to do in a certain area of town in the same afternoon.
- When possible, work with your “peak” times. Save tasks that need energy and creativity for those times when you feel awake, energetic, and creative. When you are not feeling as alert mentally, do those mindless but necessary tasks.
- Don’t feel guilty about taking a nap or a rest when needed. You’ll be more efficient and less stressed with adequate rest.
- Use those “mindless tasks” like cleaning the kitchen, dusting, or ironing to listen to good music, memorize verses, listen to an audiobook, or listen to a sermon. Many churches now record sermons and there are many places online to download them: SermonAudio.com is one (I’m not suggesting this replace church, but sometimes I benefit from listening through a message again, and sometimes I enjoy hearing from other speakers on certain topics).
- Multi-task when you can, but don’t fret if it doesn’t work for you. There are some things I can multi-task, but certain tasks or times everything falls apart if I try it. It’s better to do one thing well than several things poorly.
Special note: One week from today, May 2, I will be hosting an interview with Lynn Bowen Walker, author of Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker AND I will be giving away a copy of her book to a commenter on that particular post. So I hope you’ll come back and visit next week! 
See our WFMW hostess, Shannon, at Rocks In My Dryer for a round-up of great tips.
4 Comments
April 25, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I am in the process of reading this book. I am really enjoying it.
April 25, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Now that sounds like a book I need. Will be back next week…
Oh, and these are some great ideas, too! I’ve been meaning to work on memoizing scripture more. Maybe I should just keep a stash of verses in my purse for those inevitable times of waiting.
April 25, 2007 at 10:18 pm
These are really good suggestions. I found myself waiting in the dr. office today and I wish that I had brought something productive to do.
I’m going to definitely have to check out that book and your interview. It sounds like a must-read for me.
April 25, 2007 at 10:49 pm
“Group errands together” I do this also saves petrol costs