How to Make Room for the Important

When I lay my head on my pillow at night, I rarely feel like I’ve finished everything on my to-do list. More often, I sing myself to sleep with the laundry list of the incomplete. Homework papers left unsigned, dishes left unwashed, and books left unread.

Women have a jumble of demands pressing down on them all day, every day. With responsibilities dictating how we spend our time, the most important things easily slip to the bottom of the to-do list. We rely on props like pretty planners and reminder apps to help us prioritize. Still, we can’t get it all done.

I often hear women say, “I just can’t find the time to do the things I love.” Friend, I hear you. I am running that same race. If I can’t find the time to complete the have-to’s, how can I fit in my want-to’s?

How do we make time for the things that are most important to us?

Identify your most important things.

Aside from our families, our homes, and our occupations, very few things are required of us. What do you love to do? Your kids’ school can keep you busy. Your church gives you opportunities to serve. You probably have a few hobbies that take up your time. Lay all of this on the table, and choose the most important things. This is the crucial first step to identifying exactly what you are trying to make time to do.

Complete a time analysis.

This sounds way more scientific than it really is. Over the course of a few days, write down what you do and how long it takes you to do it. Tracking your activity will help you find the time wasters. The first time I did this, I uncovered some interesting data. I spent several hours a week watching TV and scanning the Internet, neither of which were highly valuable to me. I also found I spent hours each week preparing meals that took my family ten minutes to eat. Compare your time analysis to your list of important things. Now it’s time to make some changes.

Remove time wasters.

Your time analysis is perhaps the best way to identify why you do not have time to do it all. Once I realized how much time I spent watching TV, I turned it off. I limited TV time to a movie with my kids on Friday night and an occasional Downton Abbey splurge. The Internet was also a time suck. An hour would zoom by as I scrolled through news feeds and read blog posts. I started using a timer to help me control the time I spent online. Identify your own time-wasters and set parameters to reign it in.

Edit your responsibilities.

You cannot stop cleaning the house or going to work. There are some things that must be done daily and weekly. However, you can edit your list of responsibilities. I enjoy cooking, but an hour of prep and thirty minutes of cleanup is too much in this season of life. I started limiting our meal plans to include only recipes that require thirty minutes or less to prepare. I do not volunteer at my kids’ schools. I let dust collect under our furniture. These are necessary edits to allow time to pursue the things I really love. [Tweet “Use that powerful little word, no, to break free from unnecessary tasks.”]

Schedule time for the important.

Once you identify your list of important things and uncover some extra time in your schedule, it may take a little discipline to actually do what you love. It will be tempting to fill the extra time with a little housework or let the minutes slip away while you scroll through news feeds. Make an appointment with yourself and refuse to break it. For example, I want to reserve the first hour my kids are home from school for some mama-child time. This means I unplug, take off my metaphorical apron, and put away my phone. Perhaps you are able to free up an hour in the early morning or a few hours on Sunday afternoon. Use this time to pursue your passion instead of catching up on your to-do list.

You are busy. The things you do for others are important and necessary. But don’t allow busyness to rob you of opportunities to pursue what God has gifted and inspired you to do.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man 17 years ago. She has three energetic blessings, ages 1 to 11. Her favorite indulgences are coffee, reading, writing, and running. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.