A weekly newsletter where I help people apply values-based productivity principles and systems for personal growth, primarily using Obsidian. Subscribe if you want to make more of your notes and ideas.
Finding Time vs. Making Time vs. ???
Hard to believe that it’s December already!
As we approach the end of the year, it often feels like time is moving faster. The visual picture I get is like an hourglass.
Because of the shape of the hourglass, the sand seems to move faster at the end than it does at the beginning.
But time isn’t actually moving faster. It just feels that way.
In effort to slow things down, we humans do our level best to manage our time to the best of our ability. The way we do this is to align the time we have with the things we want to do.
I’ve noticed that when managing time and intention, there are two traditional schools of thought people tend to embrace.
The first school of thought is to make time for things that are important. The big idea here is that time management is a simple prioritization problem. We’ll never discover extra time, so we have to put those big rocks on our calendar first to make sure they get done.
The second school of thought is to find time on our calendar to do the things that are important. The big idea here is that we have more time than we think, and we just need to look more closely at where our time is currently going so we can redirect it more intentionally.
There’s an element of truth to both of these approaches, but neither has ever really sat right with me. I’ve struggled to find some middle ground, but recently found a hybrid approach staring at me from my daily Bible reading that really hits the mark for me.
Ephesians 5:16 encourages us to redeem the time. That word redeem in the original language means “to buy up; ransom; to rescue from loss; improve opportunity.”
When I read this definition recently, I knew I found the approach that worked for me. The truth is we don’t have an abundance of time, and we will never discover more.
But we can do a better job of stewarding the time we have.
I love the way the Amplified version interprets these verses:
“Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence]”
My approach is to do the very best I can with the time I have, but not get bent out of shape if things don’t go according to plan. I can’t make time, and I won’t find time - but I can redeem the time I already have. I do my best to win back as much time as I can, but in the morning the score gets reset. Win or lose, tomorrow is a new opportunity. Redeeming the time is all about staying in the moment and using it the best that I can.
The bad news is that things won’t ever just magically fall into place. Things tend not towards order, but towards disorder. But the good news is that you have the power and ability to redeem your time and create your own future.
Until next time - keep going, and keep growing!
— Mike Schmitz
Recent podcast episodes
Focused Episode #139: Soundtracks & Self-Talk
David & I consider the source of negative self-talk, the power of positive thinking, and taming the rebellious brain.
Bookworm Episode #133: Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
Joe & I attempt to change our thoughts as we DJ our own mental soundtracks.
The Intentional Family Episode #44: Line Upon Line
Rachel & I talk about developing character, changing defaults, and staying patient and positive while training your kids.
This Week's Sermon Sketchnotes video
Every Sunday, I take sketchnotes of my Pastor's sermon and post them to my website. Here's my sketchnote from November 28th.
Practical PKM
by Mike Schmitz
A weekly newsletter where I help people apply values-based productivity principles and systems for personal growth, primarily using Obsidian. Subscribe if you want to make more of your notes and ideas.
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