From the day to day to different seasons of life, there are scheduling decisions that need to be made in order to get everyone to and fro, groceries stocked, and deadlines met. On top of the necessities, many of us are faced with optional activities and tasks each day that we squeeze in on top. Often times these are really good things: coffee with a friend, a play date at the park, a birthday party for a child’s classmate, a volunteer opportunity, a charity event…but as good as those things are, it’s important to take a step back and ask yourself, “What are the filters that I sift these choices through before saying yes or no to adding something to the schedule?” And more importantly, “what is the cost of me doing that?” Is it simply whether or not there is time on the calendar? (Trust me—been there!!) Or do you have more defined goals/missions as a family that the task must align with? Are you flowing off of vibes? It’s easy to calculate the cost when there is an entry fee or donation amount, but what about the cost of time doing something else? If I say yes to this event on Saturday will the yard work we had planned still get done? Will I be stressed if it doesn’t? What are the things I inadvertently say no to, but saying yes to this?
This page will explore different ways of setting up various schedules to get the most out of your most precious commodity—TIME. The one resource we have a finite amount of, but no idea how much or how little we possess. The resource that can make or break and never be replaced. How we spend our time, structure our time, and share our time will impact not only our lives, but the lives of those around us.
Having a schedule that supports healthy living, good mental health, and quality relationships while accomplishing the day to day tasks of actual living is the goal. In some seasons there will be things that take a greater priority than others, and that’s okay. Periodic self-evaluation to keep those items in check with your current lifestyle will allow for you to have the room that you and your family need to grow and adapt to each new phase of life.
You know what they say—work hard, play hard. Let’s make sure there is space in the calendar for both!
Systems of Efficiency 