While reading a book at my seminary the other day, a person passing by stopped to say, “How do you have time to read books for enjoyment?”
“Easy,” I replied. “I make time.”
He walked away shaking his head out of disbelief, while I was left buzzing over the thought of not having time to read. I have a rule in life, to always carry a book I enjoy around. Without that time, I believe my creativity and my satisfaction in life would diminish.
You see, I’m working towards a goal, and busyness isn’t going to stop me from getting there. Why? Because . . .
No one is too busy to chase their dreams.
In the seminary, many people rush around as if there aren’t enough hours in the day to study. For some, this is true. But I’m an optimist, and I would like to believe that we all have extra time. Our ambitions, side projects, and dreams we’re chasing don’t have to pause because we’re in school or a busy season in life. They can continue to grow and thrive, because we do have the extra time.
We all have time to do something; it’s what we choose to do in the time we have that makes a difference. [Tweet that?]
I am currently in a very busy season of life, but I’m not letting that slow me down on reaching my goals. Instead, I’m learning to use my time more productively. I’m cutting out television, waking up earlier, and being smart about what I do in my downtime.
I’ve recently picked up the Storyline Productivity Schedule from Donald Miller’s Storyline team, and I must say, it has been doing wonders for my productivity. While explaining the schedule, Miller says that the brain works like a muscle, and after accomplishing a major project somewhere in the day, we must take the time to rest it, like coming home from the gym and collapsing on the couch.
While I would love to use these rest times to zone out in a television show, I can’t. In this busy season, I want whatever I fill that block of time with to be something that would advance me towards my goal.
I let what I consume propel me to create.
And because of that, my creativity is staying alive and not taking any time off.
This is the secret to not letting busyness dictate the timing of your dreams: you use what available time you do have to make a difference.
But while you do pack your schedule with the things that further you in your goals, make sure to allow yourself to live a meaningful life. With the Productivity Schedule, they ask the question “if I could live today over again I’d”, and I love that question because it reminds me that the best days I have are the ones spent with the people I love.
We can make a difference in the world by doing projects, but all the best change comes from how we affect the hearts of others. It is never a waste of time to cherish the moments spent with loved ones. If anything, these are the times that propel us towards reaching our goals faster.
So relax, spend time with family and friends, and don’t be selfish with your downtime. You will always have enough time to do the things you love.
Using your time wisely doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice living a meaningful life. [Tweet that?]
No one is ever too busy to live meaningfully.