How to Make the Most of Your Free Time

We don’t usually think of free time as wasted time. We work hard in school, so free time is supposed to be time when we are free to do whatever we want! Or is it?

We only have 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

If you spend four hours every day surfing the web or watching television, how many hours a year have you wasted? {Continue reading at More to Be}

Guest Post: Tips for Time Management by Sarah Holman

Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of four published books and counting. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined. Check out her blog here. 

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As I write this, I feel very guilty. You see, Tessa asked me to write a guest post for her a few weeks ago and I am just now getting this to her. I know deadlines are important for writers but I have a hard time meeting them. I set them for myself and then something gets in the way. This year of 2014, I am going to do something about it. I have a new schedule and it is already helping me to meet my time goals. So next time Tessa asks me to write a guest post, maybe it will only take me two weeks to get back to her. Here are some of the tips I have learned about managing my time.

    ➙ Limit the amount you take on.

 Whether it is book reviews, writing projects, or guest posts, sometimes you have to say no. If you take on too much, you will do nothing well.

    ➙ Make Priorities.

Sit down with a list of your obligations and prioritize them. Your job might be first, the second might time to write, and so on. You might even want to this sheet to your bulletin board so that you can be reminded of what is important.

    ➙ Make a Schedule.

Your schedule should have in it time for all you major priorities. In mine I have half an hour that is devoted to nothing but answering emails. I also have five hours every day where I am writing or editing in my book exclusively.

    ➙ Push through even when you don’t feel great.

As I write this, I am not feeling very motivated. All I really feel like doing is curling up with a good book. However, especially if you want to be a writer, you have to push through you apathy and get things done.

    ➙ Leave time for fun.

Although you need to push through and get work done sometimes, don’t for get to leave time for relaxing. It is important to have some time to relax in order to recharge from all that working.

    ➙ Pray for strength and guidance.

As Christians, we need to make sure that we are praying every day for the strength to do what we need to and the guidance to know when we are supposed to replace our plans with God’s.

There you have it. My helpful hints that I have been learning on how to manage your time. 

    ✎ Do you have any helpful hints for time management?

A Radical Change

The past few weeks I've been reading the book Radical by David Platt for the new college group my boyfriend has started called Scope.

Wow.

If you haven't read this book, I recommend that you do. It really puts some things in perspective.

Like how small this life on earth is in comparison to eternity. How we (Christians) have made God more suitable to us according to our own comfort, focusing only on his love for us rather than the fact that we were created to live for and to love Him.

Reading this has made me realize how selfish we really are.

"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"

~Luke 9:23

The group is currently doing a two week fast from social media as well as television. I'm really excited about it. Instead of getting on Facebook during my free time, I can spend more time with God. I have a feeling it'll really put my priorities in order. I'll be able to get more things done as well as draw closer to God during the process.

I'm so ready for a radical change. To live this life for God... not for myself. No more wasting time but instead live each day like it's really my last.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

~Matthew 7:21

How To Avoid Boredom This Summer & Spend Time Wisely

Have you ever gone to sleep one early June night, looking forward to all the possibilities that the summer could bring—only to wake up one August morning, wondering what happened to the amazing summer that you had planned? So have I. It’s easy to allow the freedom that summer brings to cause us to become lazy and watch summer just pass by.

Instead of having the same thing happen again this year, I’ve decided to go ahead and take action with what I’d like to pursue this summer. No, I’m not talking about hanging out at the pool with my friends and watching chick flicks until early morning. I’m talking about choosing to be productive rather than bored or lazy this summer by using my time wisely and creatively, while at the same time expanding my horizons.

For instance, instead of only focusing on my writing this summer, I’ve also decided to take ice skating lessons, study the art of acting and learn how to make journals. As teenagers we need to get our feet wet in many areas so we can find what it is that we're gifted in and have a passionate for. All of the things we take on eventually create who we are and can also be used as a form of worship.

Stretch yourself to your full potential this summer. Take on different responsibilities and branch into various activities. Take a step out of your comfort zone to take risks and try things that you would normally never try. You may be surprised at what you discover about yourself. If you aren't sure where to begin, here are a few suggestions:

• Learn to play the guitar.
• Try out different forms of writing, such as short story writing, song lyric writing, poetry, etc.
• Study the art of photography.
• Make jewelry.
• Learn to bake.
• Take swimming classes.
• Make scrapbooks.
• Be more involved in your church and/or youth group.
• Learn to sew.
• Get a summer job.
• Volunteer at homeless shelters, nursing homes, charity organizations, etc.
• Learn how to make blog templates.
• Read more books than you normally do.

Now that you have a few things in mind that you'd like to get started in this summer, how can you take action rather than just fantasize?

1. Make a list of these things. It doesn't matter how long of a list you write or how far-fetched those things may be. You can’t achieve something without first having the idea. The more you can think of, the better.
2. Put a star next to the ones that you would like to try out the most, or the activities that would involve more of your focus, such as volunteering.
   
3. Prioritize. Do you have some school that you need to finish or work on this summer (like I do)? Be sure to focus on your priorities first and do these new things only in your spare time.
4. Set goals. What are the things you’d like to spend most of your time pursuing, and how can you excel in that area? By setting goals you will give yourself something to strive towards. Allow yourself some space to stretch to your full potential rather than be stuck in your comfort zone.
5. Discipline yourself. Although these things may seem fun to do, think of them as something that must be done. Discipline yourself by setting aside a certain amount of time each day to focus on your goals. This can be great practice and useful so that you won’t waste the summer away.

Since summer could be classified as the “in between” stage (in between last school year and next school year), I believe it’s the most perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming school year and pursue the things that you have always wanted to try, especially if you're a teenager. You have almost three months to venture out into various areas of art and different forms of physical exercise. To discover yourself, be creative, prepare for tomorrow, pursue new things and grow in your relationship with God. And no matter what new activity you envelop yourself in or whatever new responsibility that you commit to, be sure that you are doing it all for the glory of God. (1 Corin. 10:31)

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."

~Galatians 6:4-5

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Have you ever felt as if the summer ended before you were ever able to take advantage of it? What new things would you like to try out this summer that weren't mentioned in the above list? What actions have helped you in the past in achieving your goals rather than allowing yourself to become lazy?