I read an article the other day about Pickle Jar
Time Management.
There are all kinds of ways to look at how we spend the 24 hours a day each of us are given -- and time management essays and gurus are plentiful. In fact there's a lot of money to be made by people who will share ways to find more time in a day in our busy world.
The pickle jar management idea asks people to look at their day as a pickle jar, which can be filled with all kinds of things -- rocks, pebbles, sand and water -- a little of each in our day.
If we are not careful, we can spend our time on pebbles, sand and water and never accomplish some of the big things we need to get done every day. At least that's what I picked up from the lesson.
Instead of scheduling each pebble or grain of sand, the person suggested that one focus on the stones that need to get done and let the smaller things work their way around the big things.
I began to think about what the stones needed to be in my life. I have a tendency to focus on the things I need to get done in my work and let the other things in my life fill in the cracks.
I am working on trying to look at three stones in my day -- but only letting one of them be a work stone.
If I am going to follow the promise of Jesus that if I will put the things of the kingdom first, then the other things of life will fall into place (be added to me).
I have a sheet that I ran out which has a pickle jar at the top and place for me to write three stones for the
day: my stone for the kingdom, my stone for my family
and my stone for work (at work or around the house
depending on the day).
Some days the stones are of much different size. My stone for the kingdom may be much bigger than other stones on Sunday for example.
But if I'm going to be looking for the kingdom each day, I need to be purposefully thinking about what my next task will be to try to develop the relationships of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost that will make it real to me and those around me.
If I'm going to be part of a family, I need to take time to have at least one activity a day where I am focusing on them.
My work stones will probably be the easiest to come up with -- there are always things to do there. But that's why I purposely listed my work stones last. I want to make sure that I can try to keep my priorities straight.
I'm don't know if this method will be of any help to you as you look at your stewardship of time. If you would like a pickle jar management sheet, just let me know and I'll run you one.