Category: Time Management

Priorities Reminder

Published on by Kim

Haggai is a short book (2 chapters) of the Bible that we don’t often reference, so it may surprise you to see a lesson there on priorities.

The prophet Haggai was used by God to speak to His people recently returned from exile in Babylon. They had come back to a ruined country. Houses, walls — everything needed to be rebuilt. There was a lot to do.

Right away, the first message in Haggai 1 speaks to the choices the Israelites made as they worked to rebuild everything. They had been busy making their homes beautiful and ignoring the temple until a better time. As a result, God urged them, “Consider your ways.”

Sound familiar?

“…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

A Good Time
Everyone was waiting for a better time. How often do we think now is “just not a good time” for what we know is good and right? We know we should, but…someday.

While we need to be wise about seasons, we also need to be careful not to use that excuse over and over. If we do, we may be ignoring our priorities and walking in disobedience. We say something is important, but it’s not showing in our actions. How often is it never a good time?

Consider
Take time to think about what is truly important and what is important for you in your life. The thinking time is an investment in the kingdom of God. It is worth it!

Choices
There are many good things, many good works, many possibilities for where we work and invest time or effort. But they must be ranked. If we don’t put first things first — make a choice day after day — we will not be doing what is best. It doesn’t just happen; we have to make it happen.

Change of Plans

Published on by Kim1 Comment

Action plans are great tools. I urge you to use them.

But I also urge you to use them loosely. Stuff happens. We don’t know the future. Priorities may change, and that’s okay.

It’s fine to tweak. Truly. In fact, since you don’t know everything and you don’t rule the world, it’s pretty much required. Knowing this as you make action plans and work them out helps a great deal.

  • As you create your plan, allow for other options. Don’t think of your plan as etched in stone. You can also add in any ideas that come to mind, as you draft your plan, as a side note for any step. Or you can simply keep your brainstorming notes for reference when you have to make adjustments along the way. This is your contingency plan.
  • Continue to hold your plan loosely as you work it. Don’t let yourself think that one thing not happening as you wrote it will spoil the whole project. Practice responding to unforeseen changes with, “That’s okay. Now what will we do?” Your problem-solving skills will only get better and better each day.
  • Appreciate the path when you are done. Look back at how you arrived with a smile. It will help you as you start the next plan.

Remember, if Plan A doesn’t work out as you thought, don’t give up. Plans B and C and D are just other creative ways to move forward.