Busy Seasons: How Do We Manage Them?

We’ve all said it before, “I’m doing good, just so busy!” The days are long, filled with packed lunches, work, and school. Maybe you are balancing taking care of kids in different stages of life while also trying to take care of yourself. Whether you’re spending your spare time in coffee shops studying for your nursing exams, juggling kids, work is hectic, or all of the above, we all understand what it is like to have an extra busy season of life. 

It has been a minute since I have sat down to write a blog because I have been adapting to a busy season of life. Working two jobs and being a full time college student, involvement and church, and also trying to make time for fun things to enjoy–my plate is definitely full! Back to school season always brings some challenges with getting into a new routine. Going into this school year my biggest goal has been to learn how to manage my time the best I can. Of course, this is a big goal. I have in no way mastered this and I know time management is a constant goal and will change from season to season. However, there are a couple of things I have found to be helpful to me that I haven't always prioritized in the past. 

Some time ago, I heard a quote that said “You will always make time for what is most important to you.” Now I have no idea where I heard it (probably a random tik tok on my For You Page), but it has stuck with me for whatever reason. Because to me, it really is so true. I can’t count how many times I have said things like “If only I had time” or “I don't have enough time for xyz.” But if I ask myself truthfully, there is always time to get the things done that I prioritize. Will I always get to everything that I want to get done each day? Probably not. However, there are a few things that I set as goals to achieve every single day. 

The key here is to not set achievable goals. Here are mine:

1. Daily time in God’s word

2. Spend quality time with people I love 

3. Daily movement (strength training, walking, cardio, ect.)

4. Get ahead on school work 

5. Do well in my job

   
   

These simple goals help to keep me on track and my priorities in check. Now of course there are subpoints to each of these, as well as others that may vary day to day. But these are my primary goals that won’t be changing any time soon. After I set these simple goals for myself, I began to realize that when I have these things in check, I am able to allow more time for extra activities, relaxation, and doing things I love. For example, when I get ahead in all of my classes throughout the week, I am able to enjoy the weekend more by not spending my Saturday doing homework all day. Figuring out what your top 3-5 priorities are each day is the first step in improving on time management. 

The next thing is harder for me: not over-committing. Another goal I had for myself going into this school year has been to not fill my plate with so many extra things that I can't handle my main priorities. This might mean saying no to that club, not picking up extra shifts, or filling up all of your free time with activities. This could even mean walking away from something good in order to prioritize other things in your life. 

As someone who loves accomplishing goals and tends to be a busy body, this can be hard for me. However, the Lord brought to my attention the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was busy serving Jesus and the people in her home (which is a good thing!), while Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his teaching. Martha was frustrated that she was having to do all the work, but Jesus told her that Mary was focusing on the better thing, which was hearing from her Savior (Luke 10:38–42). Of course the reason this story is included in the Bible isn’t to tell us that we couldn’t work or serve others.

But it is a warning to the person who is too busy to see that Jesus is right in front of them. I don’t want to miss a thing that Jesus has to show me! 

Galatians 6:7b says, “for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” 

This means that whatever habits we have, even in our busiest season, will be the fruit we produce. So if we focus our time on spiritual growth, physical health, loving others well, and serving the Lord, we will reap the blessings of our actions. On the other hand, if we feed into our stress, neglect time with the Lord, and let work or school consume us, the results will show in our lives. 

So the question is, what are you prioritizing in your everyday life? Are your daily habits planting a seed for the fruits you want to build? If you haven’t already, make a list of 3-5 things you want to make a habit in your everyday life. Remember, make them realistic. This is something you want to do everyday, not once a week. I write all of this not only as encouragement, but also a way to hold myself accountable to my goals! And I would suggest for you to do the same as well: find someone to hold you accountable. Tell a spouse, a best friend, or a parent, just make sure it is someone you see often. Tell them your daily goals so you can’t skip out on them after a busy week. Our habits shape who we are as people! Make sure habits are shaping you into the person you want to become.