How To Get More Done

These days it seems like everyone is trying to get more done. And, I’m no different. But I have learned a very good lesson. It’s not always about getting more done, but getting more of the RIGHT things done.

I have what I like to call Superwoman Syndrome.  I try to be all things to all people.  Super Mom, Super Wife, Super Boss, Super Friend, etc.  But the fact is, I can’t do everything.  I find myself stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, and busy but not getting things done in a way that gives me a sense of accomplishment. But, by really looking at my priorities and by a process of elimination, I now end more days less stressed and feeling more fulfilled.

Never Enough Time To Get It All Done

I remember a time when I was working full-time, working almost full-time in direct sales, teaching Sunday School, and was the treasurer at our church.  Oh, and let’s not forget I was also a wife and mom!  I had a lot on my plate and as you can imagine it was hard to get everything done.  The things I was doing were GOOD things. But I’ve learned that just because something is good, doesn’t mean you should do it.  There was so much to do but there just never seemed to be enough time.  

The Failed Attempt To Get More Done

One day, I sat down with my calendar and was determined to figure out how to get it all done. I scheduled time for devotions first, then scheduled in family time (it wasn’t the only time we spent together but this was dedicated-can’t miss time together), then I had to block out the times for my commute and job, next was when I would do team training and parties for direct sales, time to prepare for Sunday school and fulfilling my weekly treasurer duties, and sleep – let’s not forget sleep. 

Guess what?  There wasn’t enough time in the week to do those things and I hadn’t even factored in cleaning, cooking, paying bills, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, me time etc.  So there I was.  All these commitments, and not enough time.  I stared at the calendar.  Surely a day is missing on the calendar or something.  Nope.  All there. All full.

So what was I going to do?  Our family needed the extra money from the direct sales gig – plus I really enjoyed it, my family is really important and working in the church was too.  I kept trying to do it all for a while and just robbing Peter to pay Paul with my time.  The most urgent things were taking all my time.  Finally, I had a breakdown.  I prayed for God to help me see how I could get it all done.  What I found, is that I couldn’t.

The Lessons

I was trying to give God and the church all this ‘time’ but I wasn’t working at those things with the right heart.  He is more concerned with your heart than your time.

I was putting WAY too much pressure on myself to make money for our family.  God tells us to take care of our family but he also tells us to trust Him for the things we need.

I was jugging too many urgent things so I learned to do the most important things first.  Doing the most important things first make you feel more accomplished at the end of the day,  you get actually able to get more done, and you have more time and energy for the ‘fires’ that come up.

Too much time was being spent shuffling things around at home.  I had to find better systems to free up my mind and time for more important things.

There was no way to physically do everything I was saying yes to. So, I learned to say no.  I had to get good at saying no to good things to make room for great things.

How I Now Get More Things Done

I’m not going to lie, all this is HARD.  I continually try to make changes to honor my priorities.  Sometimes I do a good job and sometimes I fail miserably.  But here are some of the practical ways I have made changes in each of the areas mentioned above.

Giving God My Time

This is so important to me.  As a Christian we are supposed to give our time and talents to be used to glorify God.  After eating a big piece of humble pie and talking to my pastor about my concerns, I found out some interesting things. Someone else in the church WANTED to do the ‘jobs’ I was doing. He also told me what they really needed was a Director for Bible School.  This was PERFECT for me. I love to organize events, working with children, and it only required my time for part of the year. 

I still helped in other areas of the church as needed. But, it really helped my schedule not having the other ‘regular’ responsibilities. But, more importantly, it helped my heart.  I wasn’t stressing over getting it all done and I enjoyed my time at church much more. What I wasn’t expecting was that I was able to bless someone else, and the church, by giving up the positions.  Someone else took over being treasurer that was much more qualified than I was and she actually enjoyed doing it!

Work Schedule

I talked to my bosses about my work schedule.  I had worked there a long time and they were very gracious to work with my schedule.  They allowed me to cut my hours a little and to only work 4 days a week instead of 5.  My commute was almost an hour each way so this alone was a blessing towards my time.  It was a struggle, but I also got more guarded with my time in my direct sales company.  I didn’t schedule appointments whenever someone would say yes.  I offered the times I had available and 9 times out of 10 one of the times worked for my customer.  The money I brought home decreased a little but it was worth it.  I was less stressed and present with my family more.

Developing Systems

Systems are methods or procedures for doing things.  Over the years I have looked for ways to implement systems to reduce stress and free up my brain power for other things.   Examples of some systems I use are those that help me prepare for the next day.  My family and I pack lunches at the end of the day so they are ready to go in the morning, we lay out clothes, and put anything on the counter we need to take the next day. 

The Important Stuff

Another system I implemented is thinking about the most important things I need to do the next day and writing them on my calendar.  Those are the things I work on FIRST before the crazy of the day takes over.  When I don’t plan for the important things I end up just doing the easy things or taking care of the urgent things that pop up.  If I spend more time doing urgent things, I don’t have time for the important things.  The important things are generally the things that get me closer to my goals.

Learning to Say No

This is probably the hardest to do yet the most necessary.  I am a goal setter. If you don’t set goals, how will you know when you hit them???  So I keep my goals in front of me and when someone asks me to do something I think about my goals.  If it doesn’t align with my goals and top priorities, I say no.  That doesn’t always make other people happy but it sure does make my family and I happy. And that’s what I’m really going for.

Questions for You…

Do you need to get more done or more of the right things done?

Are there times you need to say no to something good to make room for something great?

Do you spend more time putting out fires or more time crossing the important things off your list?

What systems to you use to make things easier at home and work?

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