At least once a week I hear, “I don’t know how you do all you do.” There’s no doubt we keep busy, but out of respect for your time and health, I won’t show you my calendar, because every time I share with a friend, they claim it makes them tired just listening to it.
A continuous “to-do” list of 20-50 items makes me feel as if I never do much. Thinking back to when all items were crossed off my list forced me to change my focus from what I do and don’t do to how necessary time management has been for me to survive, then excel.
In highschool, I went to school, came home, did homework, ate, then ran off to a sport where I played in the band, a church function, or another community event. My schedule was busy, butt manageable. Attending college changed all of that.
A campus job and studying consumed much time, then I learned why. The diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa explained why my eyes grew weary, and I suffered from a slow reading rate. Vocational Rehabilitation paid for other students (readers) to read my textbooks for me. I would receive an assignment on Monday to be read by Wednesday, would contact each of my readers to see their class schedule to determine which one could get it read and back to me in time for me to listen before my next class.
Eventually, I memorized their schedules, but I also had to learn their extracurricular activities and where to swap my special cassette recorder and books. This hassle made me want to quit, but…seeing only two letters at a time made me sleepy. I’d read three pages in thirty minutes before falling asleep for an hour and a half. Besides, listening while following along with my eyes eliminated most eye strain.
Moving out on my own with my first teaching job meant time constraints due to added responsibilities. Laundry, cleaning, cooking, and shopping were crammed into evenings and weekends since I couldn’t drive at night.
More struggles with vision loss choked my time management forcing me on disability. Within months, I surrendered my driver’s license, but marryed my husband with two step-teenagers. This instant family sliced my already limited time in fourths. Practice and repetition improved my speed some, along with delegating household chores to my youngins’. Depending on others for transportation and shopping kept throwing curve balls in my scheduling though.
Having a baby brought my whole world to a halt. Taking care of a newborn with little sight consumed every brain cell I had, and every moment… leaving my family to fend for themselves the first few months. By the time my baby was two, I had the family thing down pat. I quickly became bored as the older two began leaving the nest. So, we
started a new business venture, as well as pastoring a small nondenominational church when she turned three. By school age, I decided to take on homeschooling too.
Managing time got easier over the years. Now, we pastor and I teach Childrens Church and play my flute in the praise and worship band. We founded a ministry that feeds free hot meals five nights a week that has expanded. We help find people jobs, housing, run two thrift sores/food pantries, and are working on building a place for transitional housing. Meanwhile, my husband ships Bibles, manages rentals, and holds the position of General Superintendent of FGCI (Full Gospel Churches International). I blog and am writing a book, and we partner with Salvation Army taking care of utility assistance.
For me, time management became a necessity.
Is there something in your life that helped you develop a skill or gift?
Do you have any time management tips you’d like to share?
© 2015, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Jena,
This is the crux of the problem for me. I am still learning how to do this but when I read something like this, I become motivated all over again. It also takes me much longer to do what I need to get done because of my vision loss but i get away from the lists and that helps. On top of your busy schedule, you find time to talk to me and encourage me. You are amazing and I’m learning a lot from you!
Amy
Hi Amy. So good to hear from you. Thanks for the compliment, but finding time for a friend is what friends do, and caring for others is what Christ asks of us. Hey, don’t be too quick to get away from lists. Just the process of writing them down helps organize your thoughts, and remember them, even if you don’t look back. I always remember the top priority off of a list, but have it to fall back on when interuptioins cause the ‘ole memory to go haywire. Time management will improve for you, even if it looks different than mine or other friends. Keep trying. Blessings to you.
Jena!
Oh my gracious!!!! I have always been big on time management techniques. Being a High School Secretary for 24 years has taught me to juggle many things both on the job, at home and at church. As you have mentioned in your blog, making lists are incredibly helpful I find and its just a great feeling when you have accomplished some things and get to mark them off your list.
Have a happy day!
Robin
Hi Robin. You go girl! Keep checking off of your lists. That’s why I call you, “Miss Productive.” LOL. Lists definietly are a foundational time management tool. See you later.
This is one of the biggest issues I address as a Communications Coach. Thank you, Jena, for starting the discussion. You are so correct that time management changes throughout the seasons of life. When writers are stressed, their creativity is affected. So it’s important to spend time doing our passions and callings while eliminating or silencing those things that just cause stress. I’m so glad you’ve learned how to do this well.
Great reminders, Rebecca. I’m so thankful I found my passions. I’m thankful to God for teaching me how to manage my time better to serve Him more effectively. Focusing on what is in front of you is much easier when your mind isn’t distracted worrying how things are going to get done. And, the more you get done, the better you feel about yourself. Thanks for adding to this discussion.