Scripture Reading: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV )
It’s funny, while I am not really a planner, when life started to become moving faster than I can keep up, I knew I had to something about it. Here it was, I was in my twenties, a professor, CPA, business women, president of an accounting organization, NABA and moving up the ranks at my job as Assistant Dean of Student Programs. And on top of all these responsibilities, I also had rental property to manage, my own tasks at hand and pursuing a PhD. And of course, I enjoyed spending time with friends and family, so I knew it was time to manage my time and days effectively.
I begin to purchase a planner that would fit my needs. But after searching high and low, there was simply nothing out there to manage my days as I saw fit. So I would get up in the morning and grab a sheet of paper and divide my “to do” lists into six sections:
- God
- Family
- Business
- School
- Rental
- Personal
Under each heading, I list what I need to accomplish daily and in the near future. This small but yet powerful task enable to accomplish things and most importantly help me to Keep It Moving (KIM)!! After while this routine has become ingrained in my lifestyle. As a matter of fact, I created a planner that included my “to do” list, which I have included in this chapter. When I fail to complete this task early morn, chances are I would not be able to move things forward.
Not only has this proven effective in my life, but research shows that individuals who plan out their day or write a to do lists are more likely to accomplish more than those who do not. This is also true when writing your vision for your life. Magic takes place when you put your thoughts to words. Research also shows that people who write out their plans make nine times more than those who do not.
Put it on your schedule
More importantly, not only is a “to do” serves as a great reminder, but managing your time wisely is also key to victory! My daily routine has been established to set time aside to do things I know is required of me. My day consist of the following:
5:30 Prayer and Reading the Word
6:30 Writing
7:30 Exercise
9:30 Work
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Research
Although depending on my schedule as a professor, sometimes it is a bit altered, but for the most part, I know and understand where I need to be at all times to make certain my goals and dreams come to pass. Not only does this serves as a great reminder, but also helps me to stay focused. While sometimes I may have to deviate from my schedule, I am not disturbed because I have given the time needed consistently to make certain I have taken care of my God given duties. Just as our scripture reading reminds us, there is a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Daily Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You today worshipping You in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). We thank You for providing us with the time to carryout the duties you have instructed us to do. We declare and decree we will use our time wisely and effectively, knowing that our time here on earth is limited (Psalm 89:47). God we pray that each and every day we are preparing ourselves to be the women and men you have called us to be, so that we can be prepared for the blessings you have already designed for our lives. We thank you for giving us wisdom knowing in Your Word you promise to provide wisdom liberally to all that ask (James 1:5). And Father God, although we have plans for our days, we surrender to your will and way, knowing in Your Word You reminds us that although a man plans his day, it is You, Oh Lord, who establish his path. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray (John 14:14). Amen.
Reflection: Have you created a plan for your day? How do you use your time? Do you find yourself at the end of the day with having done nothing but check your social media? Or are your days completed with a sense of victory knowing you are a step closer to your goals?
Kemberley Washington is a certified public accountant and author of 21 Days of Powerful Breakthroughs.
