HOW TO INVEST YOUR TIME WISELY
"If only I had more time!" How often have you said that? In a sense,
time is a universal leveler, because the powerful and rich have no
more of it than do the lowly and poor. Furthermore, neither the rich
nor the poor can accumulate time. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.
The course of wisdom, then, is to make good use of the time we have.
How? Consider four strategies that have helped many people to invest
their time wisely.
Strategy 1: Be Organized
Prioritize...
"Make sure of the more important things," the Bible
advises. (Philippians 1:10) Prepare a to-do list of things that are
important or urgent or both, keeping in mind that what is
important--buying food for dinner, for example--may not necessarily be
urgent. And what may seem urgent--catching the start of your favorite
TV program--may not be important.
"Make sure of the more important things," the Bible
advises. (Philippians 1:10) Prepare a to-do list of things that are
important or urgent or both, keeping in mind that what is
important--buying food for dinner, for example--may not necessarily be
urgent. And what may seem urgent--catching the start of your favorite
TV program--may not be important.
Think ahead...
"If an iron tool is dull and one does not sharpen its
edge, he will need to exert much effort," says Ecclesiastes 10:10,
adding: "But wisdom helps to achieve success." The lesson? Sharpen
your ax, as it were, by planning ahead so that you can make the most
effective use of your time. Set aside or eliminate nonessential tasks,
which do little more than consume time and energy. If you find that
you have time on your hands because you have caught up on your work,
why not move on to a job that is scheduled for later? By thinking
ahead, you increase your productivity, like a wise workman who
sharpens his ax.
"If an iron tool is dull and one does not sharpen its
edge, he will need to exert much effort," says Ecclesiastes 10:10,
adding: "But wisdom helps to achieve success." The lesson? Sharpen
your ax, as it were, by planning ahead so that you can make the most
effective use of your time. Set aside or eliminate nonessential tasks,
which do little more than consume time and energy. If you find that
you have time on your hands because you have caught up on your work,
why not move on to a job that is scheduled for later? By thinking
ahead, you increase your productivity, like a wise workman who
sharpens his ax.
Simplify your life...
Learn to say no to things that are unimportant or
that do little more than consume time. Too many activities and
appointments can add needless stress and can rob you of joy.
Learn to say no to things that are unimportant or
that do little more than consume time. Too many activities and
appointments can add needless stress and can rob you of joy.
Strategy 2: Avoid Time Stealers
Procrastination and indecision...
"The one who watches the wind will not
sow seed, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap."
(Ecclesiastes 11:4) The lesson? Procrastination is a thief of both
time and productivity. A farmer who waits until conditions are perfect
may never sow seed or reap his harvest. Similarly, we could allow
life's uncertainties to make us indecisive. Or we may feel that we
have to wait until we have every scrap of relevant information before
making a decision. To be sure, important decisions warrant research
and deliberation. "The shrewd one ponders each step," says Proverbs
14:15. But the reality is that many decisions involve some
uncertainties.--Ecclesiastes 11:6.
"The one who watches the wind will not
sow seed, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap."
(Ecclesiastes 11:4) The lesson? Procrastination is a thief of both
time and productivity. A farmer who waits until conditions are perfect
may never sow seed or reap his harvest. Similarly, we could allow
life's uncertainties to make us indecisive. Or we may feel that we
have to wait until we have every scrap of relevant information before
making a decision. To be sure, important decisions warrant research
and deliberation. "The shrewd one ponders each step," says Proverbs
14:15. But the reality is that many decisions involve some
uncertainties.--Ecclesiastes 11:6.
Perfectionism...
"The wisdom from above [or from God] is . . .
reasonable," says James 3:17. Of course, high standards are
commendable! Sometimes, though, we might set standards so high that we
invite disappointment and even failure. A person learning another
language, for example, must be prepared to make mistakes, aware that
he will learn from these. A perfectionist, however, would likely
shudder at the thought of saying something incorrectly--an attitude
that would impede his progress. How much better to be modest in our
expectations! "Wisdom is with the modest ones," says Proverbs 11:2.
Moreover, the modest and humble do not take themselves too seriously
and can usually laugh at themselves.
"The wisdom from above [or from God] is . . .
reasonable," says James 3:17. Of course, high standards are
commendable! Sometimes, though, we might set standards so high that we
invite disappointment and even failure. A person learning another
language, for example, must be prepared to make mistakes, aware that
he will learn from these. A perfectionist, however, would likely
shudder at the thought of saying something incorrectly--an attitude
that would impede his progress. How much better to be modest in our
expectations! "Wisdom is with the modest ones," says Proverbs 11:2.
Moreover, the modest and humble do not take themselves too seriously
and can usually laugh at themselves.
"You don't really pay for things with money. You pay for them with
time."
time."
Strategy 3: Be Balanced and Realistic
Balance work and recreation...
"Better is a handful of rest than two
handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
Workaholics often deprive themselves of the fruitage of their "two
handfuls of hard work." They simply have no time or energy left. The
lazy, on the other hand, opt for "two handfuls" of rest and squander
precious time. The Bible encourages a balanced view: Work hard and
enjoy the rewards. Such rejoicing is "the gift of God."--Ecclesiastes
5:19.
"Better is a handful of rest than two
handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
Workaholics often deprive themselves of the fruitage of their "two
handfuls of hard work." They simply have no time or energy left. The
lazy, on the other hand, opt for "two handfuls" of rest and squander
precious time. The Bible encourages a balanced view: Work hard and
enjoy the rewards. Such rejoicing is "the gift of God."--Ecclesiastes
5:19.
Do not scrimp on sleep...
"I will lie down and sleep in peace," said a
Bible writer. (Psalm 4:8) Most adults need about eight hours of sleep
a night to gain the full physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits.
Concerning the latter, sleep is a sound investment of time because it
aids in concentration and consolidates memories, thus fostering
learning. Sleep deprivation, however, impedes learning and contributes
to accidents, errors, and irritability.
"I will lie down and sleep in peace," said a
Bible writer. (Psalm 4:8) Most adults need about eight hours of sleep
a night to gain the full physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits.
Concerning the latter, sleep is a sound investment of time because it
aids in concentration and consolidates memories, thus fostering
learning. Sleep deprivation, however, impedes learning and contributes
to accidents, errors, and irritability.
Set realistic goals...
"Better to enjoy what the eyes see than to wander
after one's desires." (Ecclesiastes 6:9) The point? A wise person does
not let mere desires take the reins of his life, especially desires
that may be unrealistic or impossible to satisfy. Hence, he is not
seduced by clever advertising or easy credit. Instead, he learns to be
content with what he can actually attain--"what [his] eyes see."
"Better to enjoy what the eyes see than to wander
after one's desires." (Ecclesiastes 6:9) The point? A wise person does
not let mere desires take the reins of his life, especially desires
that may be unrealistic or impossible to satisfy. Hence, he is not
seduced by clever advertising or easy credit. Instead, he learns to be
content with what he can actually attain--"what [his] eyes see."
Strategy 4: Be Guided by Good Values
Consider your values...
Your values enable you to gauge what is good,
important, and worthwhile. If your life were an arrow, your values
would aim that arrow. Good values, therefore, help you to set sound
priorities in life and to make the very best use of your time hour by
hour and day by day. Where can you find such values? Many people look
to the Bible, recognizing its superior wisdom.--Proverbs 2:6, 7.
Your values enable you to gauge what is good,
important, and worthwhile. If your life were an arrow, your values
would aim that arrow. Good values, therefore, help you to set sound
priorities in life and to make the very best use of your time hour by
hour and day by day. Where can you find such values? Many people look
to the Bible, recognizing its superior wisdom.--Proverbs 2:6, 7.
Make love your foremost value...
Love "is a perfect bond of union," says
Colossians 3:14. We cannot be truly happy and emotionally secure
without love, especially within the family. People who disregard that
fact, perhaps giving priority to the pursuit of riches or a career,
actually invest in unhappiness. Yes, for good reason the Bible makes
love the preeminent value, mentioning it hundreds of times.--1
Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 John 4:8.
Love "is a perfect bond of union," says
Colossians 3:14. We cannot be truly happy and emotionally secure
without love, especially within the family. People who disregard that
fact, perhaps giving priority to the pursuit of riches or a career,
actually invest in unhappiness. Yes, for good reason the Bible makes
love the preeminent value, mentioning it hundreds of times.--1
Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 John 4:8.
Set aside time to address your spiritual need...
A man named Geoff had a
loving wife, two happy children, good friends, and a rewarding job as
a paramedic. Nevertheless, his work often brought him face-to-face
with suffering and death. "Is this how life is supposed to be?" he
asked. Then one day he read some Bible literature published by
Jehovah's Witnesses and found satisfying answers.
Geoff explained what he was learning to his wife and children, and
they too became interested. That started the family on a spiritual
journey that enriched their lives and helped them to invest their time
far more wisely. Their study of the Bible also gave them the wonderful
hope of everlasting life in a world free of futility and
suffering.--Revelation 21:3, 4.
A man named Geoff had a
loving wife, two happy children, good friends, and a rewarding job as
a paramedic. Nevertheless, his work often brought him face-to-face
with suffering and death. "Is this how life is supposed to be?" he
asked. Then one day he read some Bible literature published by
Jehovah's Witnesses and found satisfying answers.
Geoff explained what he was learning to his wife and children, and
they too became interested. That started the family on a spiritual
journey that enriched their lives and helped them to invest their time
far more wisely. Their study of the Bible also gave them the wonderful
hope of everlasting life in a world free of futility and
suffering.--Revelation 21:3, 4.
Geoff's experience calls to mind the words of Jesus Christ, when he
said: "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need." (Matthew
5:3) Are you willing to set aside a little time to address your
spiritual need? To be sure, no other investment will give you the
wisdom to make the most, not of just each day, but of your life as a
whole.
said: "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need." (Matthew
5:3) Are you willing to set aside a little time to address your
spiritual need? To be sure, no other investment will give you the
wisdom to make the most, not of just each day, but of your life as a
whole.
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201402/invest-your-time-wisely/
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