Time is a gift we all have.  Today as Hudson and Charlie start school for another year, I am VERY aware that time is moving FAST.  We all are given the same amount of time each day – it is what we do with it that is the difference.

Each of us will on average spend:

• 6 months stopped at traffic lights
• One year looking for misplaced items
• 2 years unsuccessfully returning phone calls
• 4 years of house cleaning
• 5 years waiting in line
• 6 years of eating

I know that with my time I always feel like I could do more.  Don’t watch that one Golf Central – that right there would be 3.5 hours each week!  I want to make sure that I am a good steward of the time given to me; Each minute that ticks away will never come again.

No one knows how many days they are given on the earth.  Everyday we wake up is a gift, and it is a gift to be cared for.  “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Here are a few thoughts on using your time efficiently:

• Time Block.  Make sure that you are blocking time to specifically accomplish tasks that you need to accomplish.  Next week I want to spend 2 hours on Monday working on filling the last three openings for the golf tournament.

• Hard things first!  Sometimes you just have to “pump yourself up” to start the day out with some of the tougher tasks.  This might be the tough call, the scary meeting, or even, finishing a project that is to the grueling part.

• Do it, delegate it, or delete it!  Go through your list and see what you can do, what you can give to someone else to do, and what you can simply – DELETE.  This can be refreshing to clear out a list this way.

• Make a “Later List.”  Sometimes you cannot get everything done, but one way to release pressure, is to write all these tasks onto one piece of paper.  This will release them from your mind.

• Block out things you enjoy!  This could be a date night, working out, or even spending time writing or playing golf.

• Block time for your “clearing out.”   This could be your email inbox or returning calls.  You can clear out your voicemail or email by going through and either leaving it in your inbox, responding, or deleting it.

The two books I have loved in this are, Getting Things Done, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Hope you have a great day!

Eric