Time management and parenting kids with special needs is the topic of guest blogger Amy Stout’s two-part series about the time management wisdom she’s gained over the past year. Yesterday in Part One, she shared three ways to adjust her attitude. Today, in Part Two, she explains how to apply some corporate world knowledge to parenting kids with special needs.

Tried and True Time Management Tips, Part 2

I have been out of the corporate business world for about seven years now, but when I was a work-outside-the-home woman, I was neck deep in corporate stuff. One thing that I will ever be grateful for from my time in the corporate world is the year my employer sent every person in my department to Franklin Covey Time Management training. I LOVED it!!  Out of all the trainings I had the privilege of attending in the 10 years at that company, this was by far the most useful and beneficial to not only my work life, but also to my personal life.

These are a few of the things that really stood out to me that I was able to implement in my own life to help me determine what my TRUE role was in all of those relationships.

Focus on the Big Rocks

Basically this was an exercise designed to communicate to us that we need to prioritize what the most important things are. In our lives, we all have big rocks, and we all have sand. Big rocks are the things that HAVE to happen (the things that REALLY matter). Sand represents all the things that need to be done but that are a little more flexible as to when or how often they are done.

Most people do the sand tasks first. They are small, usually don’t take much time, but after you do several of them all together, you realize that once they are done there isn’t much time or energy left for the things that really matter. However if you do the big rocks FIRST, you find that there are times in-between where you can fill in with the sand projects and everything tends to get done.

These are GREAT visual demonstrations of focusing on the big rocks:

Short Clip
Longer Clip

Begin with the End in Mind

My particular trainer had us make a list of things we wanted to be remembered for should we pass away. This was very insightful to me and helped me pinpoint what should be priorities for me in my life. Once I knew what it was that I wanted to accomplish or value in my life, I was able to build goals and take steps to achieve them. This helped me create a personal mission which in turn helped me focus in how my time should be utilized.

Important vs. Urgent

Defining what of our daily tasks are important vs. urgent helps us to assign a timeline by which they should be completed. This also aids in prioritization.

A Contradiction?

Much of what I wrote above centers on what is best for each individual and I have to admit that, at face value, it seems contradictory to biblical principles of being selfless. The Bible does teach that we are to put others ahead of ourselves, but it never says we are to completely forget about ourselves and our well-being. In fact, God specifically set aside a day of rest because He knew we would need it. He began with the End in Mind… we just need to follow his example.

If we take care of ourselves and utilize our time wisely, we are more refreshed, have a better testimony, and are more useable and better equipped to serve others in a more impactful way. It will be a complement to our personal well-being rather than being a stumbling block to God’s purpose and plans for our life.

Slow Down

Take a deep breath and put a few things down on paper.  Most of us don’t step back and analyze how things are really going. Take a good look at your life and ask Dr Phil’s famous question, “How’s it workin’ for you?”

Analyze what is holding you back or bringing you down. What are areas that you are not being efficient in? What things are making you unhappy? What people are less than encouraging? What things need to be organized? Can you make any scheduling changes? Could you ask for more help and support? What relationships do you need to work on? How can you improve your health and fitness?

Then take ACTIVE Steps to begin to make some positive changes. Don’t just think about it. DO something and track your progress. Ask God for guidance and for help.

These are all things that I will be doing, and I will be your cheerleader here from Iowa!! Don’t live a stagnant life! There is so much of life to be enjoyed. Make the CHOICE to make a difference for yourself and for those you love.

What Are Your Big Rocks?

Has Amy made you identify the big rocks and the sand in your life? Leave a comment about how you hope to implement her advice.

Tried and True Time Management Tips, Part One

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photo credit: stock.xchng