*my actual May schedule
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” Ps 90:12
After CG last night, A asked how I manage 6 tuition kids, 1 guitar lesson, elderly visitations, weekend services, driving lessons, occasional financial planning, cellgroup meetings and ministry while coping with the SOT workload each week. Social meetings yet included.
The simple answer: I use a scheduler. Each Sunday, I spend some 20 mins planning what’s ahead the next week, so that I know how things will unfold that week- in exact sequence. I’ve been relatively productive with this- found some extra 2 hours each day.
To me, it is important to be a good steward with the time that I am given. Many of my friends do the same. At any moment, however, I can subject this schedule to change. Because I value my time so much, I want to be where I am most needed or able to contribute most at anytime.
The key principle in life (time) management which I follow is to schedule my priorities (instead of prioritizing my schedule) What and who gets my time?
Here’s 4 Guidelines I use in my time planning.
1. Knowing What My Priorities Are.
2 million things scream for my attention everyday. This event needs helpers, the person over there needs help, can you help clear the rubbish and oh, remember our lunch with so and so… it is endless. I have become less nice in recent times and learned to say “no” to many things.
In deciding whether to go for something at a certain time, often it is who compared to what that helps me decide:
1. I will spend time with those I’ve already committed my time to: FOTS and several close friends get my priority. Best friend and family gets immediate attention.
2, In essence, I will spend time with people:
a. Whom I can contribute meaningfully to their lives.
b. Who can contribute meaningfully to my life.
Because time is the only commodity that is irreplaceable once used, I am so careful of who I spend time fellowshipping with. And I particularly detest time wasters. If I don’t receive value add the time spent- either by contributing to others or receiving meaningfully, I will make a conscious effort to reduce/cut off time spent with these people.
2. Decisively Give Time To People Who Matters To Me
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Suppose you are in this position:
Sam’s mom passed away. He is your best friend. Your final exam papers start tomorrow lasting 3 days, the same amount of time the wake will last. You need the time to cram to pass the last semester. Sam needs you. What do you do?
This was a real question my Mentor M posted to me when I was 13. Without hesitation, Mentor M said that we must be there for Sam. Because at most I fail that subject and stay back for a year. But Sam, my best friend, will always remember that I am not with him for many years to come should I choose to stay home and cram. Who cares about my academic success anyway?
And what is our life measured in? TIME.
Greater love is this: Lay down your time (your life) to people who matters. Pastor Ming’s brother passed on recently. Pastor Kong flew to London, just to zip in and send his regards at the ward, before having to fly to the next destination for work/family.
TIME + Physical Presence = Love preached.
Don’t need to preach too much. Less words. Act. Give time to those who matter.
3. If I Don’t Have A Plan For My Time, Someone Else Will Waste It for Me.
Notice how readily we agree to our friends whom we receive calls to go out with.
If we didn’t have a plan for that day, we will follow our friends’ plan: watch that movie, accompany him to pay that school fees, etc. If we have a plan, a list of things to complete for that day, our friend will follow our plans. We get MY things accomplished.
Extrapolate this and you’d realise that if you do not have a plan for your life, someone else will. Very often, their plan for you is way too small than your fullest potential. To find your destiny, begin with a clear plan for your time monthly, weekly, daily and really, hourly.
You’d be shocked to know that highly successful people measure their time in blocks of 15mins and under.
Don’t be too ready to spend your time mindlessly.
4. Develop a Reputation
I saw this quote on a friend’s Facebook profile:
“If you have a question, do not hesitate to ask someone else first.”
It is often said in my circle of acquaintance, that we must always be available to be successful in ministry. I wish to calibrate this statement: we should always be available for the right things to be effective and successful in ministry. Being constantly available for the sake of it is stupid. It is just wasting time clearing other people’s s***.
When we develop a reputation of valuing our time, people think twice before sending you a silly sms and think through what they want to say before calling you. Our attitude towards our time determines other’s attitude towards our time. Know what/where/who you should avail your time for. If you are constantly available to give help at all sorts of places (because you don’t know your priorities), no one will hesitate to call you for the most minute things.
In the same manner, if you are always free to do that which seems important but does not contribute to your legacy, you will always end up doing that same thing.
Notice how employees write executive summaries on their report for submission to CEOs? Go and realise how much groundwork civil servants do before summiting a policy paper to the Senior Minister. Their time is precious. People make sure that the things they ask of these people or present to them are concise and precise.
If no one bothers to simplify long messages and tasks for you for your ease of digestion of these information, you know where you stand in their eyes- they can’t be bothered about valuing your time. Or, you are probably the one who is supposed to do a summary for the boss. 
Well, I’ve spent slight more time than I want to to write this. 3.47a.m.
TIME for bed.
Further Reading:
Getting Things Done By David Allen
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey
The 4- Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
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Ha. I’m on the first book, finishing the second, completed the third. Quality reads!
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