What's this section about?

[sjdean]

So what's this section about. Need a bit of personal advice from a Christian perspective. Nothing major, just that I take on so many things I don't know what to do.

I think about everything I have to do, like my family tree, scanning the birth certificates in, converting all my football games to dvd, helping a couple of friends with their computers, sorting out business websites for other people, i'd love to find the time to do my own websites too, setup my new "server", wash, clean, cook, go to the gym (sort out my knee, lose some weight), eat, sleep, go to work, have a bit of fun from time to time, find a girlfriend, oh and of course - read the bible, read the study guides to the bible and everything else and Im sure I've missed loads.

Truth be told Im probably blowing it into a bigger mountain than it needs to be.

How do other people rationalise their lives and stop things from mounting up? I wouldn't mind if after finishing it, that would be it, off your list, but other things keep cropping up. Finish one job, add two to the list!

Cya
Simon

 

[anewday]

Good question Simon. Have you tried to prioritize things? I remember when I was a teacher there seemed to be a million things to get done each day. I learned to get the important things done first, then get other things done later, even if it was much later. Right now I'm working two jobs and planning on starting my master's this summer or fall. Since I'm gone most of the day my place is a mess. I hate it, but I'm usually too tired to clean when I get home. I try to get things done on the weekend, but even then I only get a fraction of the things I want done. I guess the best thing to do is to get the important things done first, then everything else will come second and hopefully fall into place. I don't know if any of this helps. Wow, I have way to many "things" typed out, but I'm too tired to reword them to sound smarter ). Remember to put God first and He will make everything work out in its own time. I'm sure you've heard the saying put God first, others second and you third. It sounds like you are doing alot for others, which is great, but remember to take care of yourself as well . I think I have as many things as you going on in my life right now. I think I get a little over half of everything I want done in a week. I guess that's better than nothing. Its late so I should probably stop typing or I'll make no sense. Have a great weekend!

 

[sjdean]

Quite a lot of the time for me, everything is important. Well not everything, but I have so many important things clashing with each other. Maybe I should just make a start.

One of the things I wanted to do was to try and read ten pages of the Bible a day and get through it in just over 100 days. So difficult going through Numbers, but then people keep giving me Bible guys and everything I get bogged down.

Then I find I haven't done the other things people are relying on me for. Then I find I haven't made time for my friends. Or myself.

I always used to put other people first, but got run down and burnt out.

I can't put other people too far ahead of myself. I have no problem putting God first, but significant things have to change in my life.

To give you some context, I've got things that have been piling up for a year. There's always something more important.

Which reminds me, I must cancel my satellite TV.

 

[natikalee]

Lessons I have learned and don't always live by. 10 steps to get your to-do list under control.

1) Learn to say no. Not to everything, but some things need a firm: No, I am sorry, but I cannot help you with that right now. I haven't got the time. I wish I could help.

2)Stop trying to over achieve. Are you a paster, monk, hermit or superman? Then there is a good chance you will not read through the entire bible in 100 days. Ten pages a day may not sound like much, but can get a little rough. Try to read it in a year first.

3)Cutting down or stopping the tv and computer use frees up MUCH time in a person's life.

4)The things you have been putting off. First, don't beat yourself up. Most people have a list of things they have been wanting to do for obscene amounts of time. Go through those things. How many of them really have to be done? I bet some can be taken off the list altogether.

5)Multi-task. As long as you spend time in the Word every day, there is no rule saying that you cannot listen to the Bible on cd while at the gym. There are some really good versions out there that are almost like radio shows. They will totally take your mind off of what you are doing and give you the work-out of a lifetime.

6)Trade-off or pay-off. Say: sure, I'll work on your website, if you're willing to convert my games. Or take them to a professional.

7)Designate days and use a method. Activities are easier and faster to do if you carefully craft a method that is the most productive for that task, then dedicate large chunks of time for them. For instance, by spending a few hours after church Sunday (or work Monday, or whatever) doing nothing but cooking a weeks worth of food to stick in the freezer, you save a couple hours each day. You would be amazed at the variety you can cook, seporate and freeze for meals. Try scrambled eggs with sausage, peppers, onions and potatoes. Then just microwave and you have a meal set to go in seconds or minutes in the morning. Healthy, too.

8)If you have things to do, but haven't had fun: go have fun. You're more likely to be more productive if work isn't the only thing you do. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, too.

9)Do the hardest and worst job first, even if you don't finish it. You will feel less drained for the next project and feel like you've accomplished more.

10)Don't expect to get everything done. No one does. Just be happy you got started. Feel free to reward yourself with a fun activity.

And remember, God does not judge you by what you accomplish on this earth. The more important thing is the treasures you store up in heaven.