How often do we say to ourselves and others “I couldn’t do it because I didn’t have time?” It’s the oldest and dare I say, laziest excuse for not organising our time properly. It’s never true that I don’t have time - I have tons of it. It’s just that I decided at some stage I wasn't going to use my time doing that particular thing or things. I wasn’t willing to surrender my other priorities or make the time for that one.

Let’s remember that use of time is a choice and we are the ones choosing. We control our time. Time is not a monster in outer space determining the pace of our lives. If something is important enough to us, we will always manage to find the time to get it done. So how can we learn to find that time we don’t seem to have?

1. Stop Negotiating

How much time do you spend agonising about all you have to do? Agonising but not doing anything constructive about it? I know I fall into that category very easily. With the advent of a new school term, the number of things that have to be done can feel like a tsunami assaulting us forcibly after a nice easy summer pace. And we can waste so much time internally negotiating with ourselves about our use and misuse of time. Make a list of what needs done, find the priorities and stick to it.

2. Challenge Yourself

I find it so helpful to challenge myself when I am pinned to the floor with regard to time. I tell myself “you have twenty minutes to do this task.” I turn on an alarm and work away at the monstrous pile that seems so daunting, with the knowledge that my time to do it is limited. I am always pleasantly surprised at the results. I may not have finished the task, but that fearful mountain is much smaller even after a mere twenty minutes.

3. Learn how to say No

This takes humility and the recognition that I am not a superwoman and I cannot do everything, at the same time. Being clear about our boundaries and what we can and cannot do is key. Recognising when we need help and when to ask for it, can be hugely beneficial in getting things done more efficiently.

4. Plan Ahead

Instead of making four trips down the stairs, let's use our heads and organise things so that we don’t waste all that time and energy. Planning can enable us to find small pockets of time in the day that can otherwise be easily squandered and wasted. The last time I needed to do some ironing, I remembered to bring my earphones into the room so I could listen to a podcast. I ended up listening to a fascinating history of the Vikings, their lifestyle and influence. It made the job so much easier, and I ended up learning things I never would have found the time to learn about before. Have a think about how you can better use a daily commute or household jobs to listen to something useful, learn another language or pick up some tips on your hobby.

5. Prayer

Many years ago, I asked a holy priest about how to get the time when you have two or three conflicting jobs in hand. His answer was very clear and simple. Pray. When you pray, your time multiplies. I was intrigued. I certainly would never have thought that spending some time in prayer would actually increase my time. But he was right. Our time multiplies when we pray properly. And I don’t mean mindlessly reciting vocal prayers in the hope that we can somehow buy some time, but actually talking to God, conversing with him about the things that bother us in our use of time - our list of tasks, outstanding phone calls and emails, meetings we have to plan. Many times we can obstruct our best efforts by focusing too much on ourselves and our own input. Asking him to help us, just like we would ask a friend,  means tasks get done sooner, quicker and better. And we find we have much more internal peace and thus much more energy. We generate peace around us. We are happier people.

Time is a treasure

As we move into the colder months and the end of the year is within sight, I imagine like myself you have a number of things you still want to do or achieve. Now’s the time to organise a strategy to manage the remaining days, perhaps setting aside a golden hour in the week or fortnight to work out a plan on how and when you can get those things done. Remember  - we are the only ones who possess the power to fill our days with things that are worthwhile and valuable.

As C.S. Lewis writes -

‘The present is the only time in which any duty may be done, or grace received.’