Sense and Sensibility: Time Management, Priorities, Scheduling

In our ongoing series on Sense and Sensibilitiy, today's topic is time management, priorities, and scheduling.

The woman of ‘sense’ knows that this is a very important area, so she gives it serious consideration and planning.

Ephesians 5:15-16: Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

To display good sense you must:
--Know your priorities and regularly evaluate your practice to make sure they match.
--Have a prayerfully planned schedule for the day and week.
--Continually be on the look--out both for ways to maximize your time, and time wasters that must be eliminated.
--Remember that interruptions and unexpected events are part of God’s sovereign plan for your day and life, and should be embraced, not fumed over.
--Realize that making the most of your time will involve saying No! to many things, even good things.

On the other hand, time management, scheduling, and priorities may seem like words of restriction and limitation to the woman of ‘sensibility’. She wants to be free to spend her time as her fancy leads her. She has no plan, so she flits from one activity to another, not accomplishing the truly important in favor of the enjoyable or seemingly urgent.

Or perhaps her particular bent of sensibility manifests itself in perfectionism. Her house is immaculate, but her family doesn’t feel like they can be at home there. Her ducks are all in a row, but relationships are neglected.

God calls us to use our time wisely, making the most of our opportunities. That’s being sensible.

What techniques do you use to make the most of your time?