Podcast: Play in new window
Many of us have a lot on our plates — there’s more on our plates than any other generation before us. With so much to do and a limited amount of time, how do we pay attention to the things that matter the most without become unnecessarily distressed and feeling as if there simply isn’t enough time to get it all done?
I get asked all the time, how do you do it all? The answer: I don’t. And what I do get done, I don’t do all at the same time. My laundry is regularly washed and dried, but not folded. My meal plan is regularly made, but somehow I still end up driving through Chick-Fil-A in a pinch. I know exactly when the ideal time exists in my schedule for a workout and I still often choose to sleep in or tackle some other project that is more enticing than the elliptical machine. I mean… let’s keep it real people. And in total transparency, I don’t do it all by myself. My husband helps a lot. My kids have chores. There are also other people who help me out with the tasks that are on my plate. I’ve also gotten really good at saying no. Read the words below s-l-o-w-l-y. In essence, repeat after me.
I
Can’t
Do
It
All.
But we do try, don’t we? In this day and time, we are not short of distractions and opportunities either. There will always be something vying for our attention. The urgent will also seek to trump the important. If you don’t learn to separate the meaningful from the “oh-my-gosh-right-now,” you will run out of time and life to do the things that are most important to you.
I hear from many of you how strapped for time you are and of course I want to help by sharing what I know. You don’t have to live “time poor.” My friend, Valorie Burton, is a business mentor and coach who will help you use your time well and overcome “time poverty.” Valorie has been on the podcast before and I love chatting with her because she gives great insights, plus she always has practical tips and tools to help you get where you need to go. She recently released a book entitled It’s About Time: The Art of Choosing the Meaningful Over The Urgent where she helps you reimagine a life that is meaningful, at a pace that is natural, with a load that is doable. She never thought she would be writing a book on the subject of time because she struggled with it as well. She was in time debt and was time poor and she didn’t want to be either of those things! So she wrote the book she needed in order to move towards a more meaningful life.
How do you want to spend your time? If you want to change the way you use and feel about your time, you have to give some honest answers to some hard questions. How are you spending your time? Do you treat your time like a budget? Are you in time debt? What do you need to say no to?
There is no better time than now to start setting realistic expectations for what you can and cannot get done. We have all spent our time in ways we wished we hadn’t – whether it was scrolling on social media way too long or waiting to move forward on something God called you to do. Whatever it is, know that God can make up for and even use the time we’ve wasted (Joel 2:25-32).
Listen girl, it’s not too late to focus on the important. You can still set non-negotiables. Your life has meaning and you can choose to live moments that matter. It’s about time for that. Don’t you think so?
Highlights from Today’s Episode:
- Overcoming Time Poverty
- Choosing the Meaningful over the Urgent
- Setting Reasonable Expectations
- Learning from Lost Time
- Setting Digital Boundaries
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- God uses the mistakes we’ve made. God can more than make up for lost time. – Valorie Burton
- You are allowed to be imperfect. God is able to move in spite of your imperfection. He might even use it. – Valorie Burton
- If you tell yourself you don’t have time, then you will behave as though you don’t. – Valorie Burton
- Appreciate what you have and notice the beauty of God’s wonder all around you. – Valorie Burton
Resources From Today’s Show
- Connect with Valorie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on her Website
- Purchase a copy of Valorie’s book, It’s About Time: The Art of Choosing the Meaningful Over The Urgent
- Get Valorie’s Free 5-Day Devotional, time charts, and chapter of her book, It’s About Time.
Other Stuff to Check Out
- Grab my latest books She’s Still There, Show Up For Your Life, 28 Days of Prayer, or Kingdom Woman!
- Did you miss Episode 215 With Audrey Roloff?! Click here to listen!
- Interested in supporting the content I create? Learn about becoming a co-producer!
- Want to subscribe to the blog and grab a freebie? CLICK HERE
Let’s Talk!
After you’ve listened to the podcast, I’d love to continue the conversation. Be sure and leave a comment!
- What is most meaningful for you in this season of you?
- What is getting in the way of the most meaningful things in your life?
- What does getting quiet and listening to yourself and God look like for you?
- Looking back a month from now, what would you wish you would have done today?
Connect with me…
How to Listen to The Podcast
If you’re new to podcasts, think of them like little radio shows that you can listen to at your convenience. They are perfect to listen to and learn from as you workout, fold laundry, wash dishes or conquer the world.
1. Listen right here on the blog. Click the little play button at the beginning of this post.
2. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play! – Be sure and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also, if you would be so kind as to leave a rating on iTunes and/or write a 2-3 sentence review there or on Stitcher? Your commentary or rating helps make the podcast more “findable” by others who might not know it exists!
3. Share today’s show – Email the link to a friend or share on social media. Just click on the sharing buttons at the bottom of this post!
You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in and do the same on the podcast!
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