November 2002
School, friends, chores, youth group, homework, soccer practice, violin lessons, phone calls, the dance, babysitting…and you also want me to keep my room clean?!! All the pressures and commitments can be overwhelming! When something falls through the cracks, the pressure can be even worse because of a bad grade on a test, an embarrassing performance at a concert, or an angry parent when the dishes are left undone. Time management is a term used when you make a plan for organizing your time. By organizing your time, you can often be more efficient and less stressed about the things you need to get done.
1. Getting started: Consider how you currently use your time. (Keep a log of what you are doing with your time every hour for a week.) This will help you know how much time things take and also show when you are active and when you need a little down time.
2. Make a list of the things you need to do. Include school and social commitments, study time, chores, homework, and relaxing activities, such as reading or talking with friends.
3. Prioritize. Assign a priority to each of the activities. Give "must-do" activities such as homework and chores a number 1. Number 2 activities are important but can be done after the first priority things are completed. Number 3 items can wait.
4. Create a plan. Using a calendar, assignment book, or spiral notebook, schedule the time you think you will need for each activity. Choose the best times of the day for the Number 1 priorities so you don’t have to try to focus on algebra just before bedtime when you are sleepy.
5. Don’t procrastinate. Get started quickly so you have more time when you are done to do activities you enjoy. All work and no play, just makes you grumpy.
6. Spend time with God. In all the busy-ness of life, make sure you schedule time each day to spend reading the bible and praying.
"Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5: 7)