Redeeming the Time Ephesians 5:14-21

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

I redeemed now you redeem Rom:13:11: And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Matt 13:33: Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Rom:13:11: And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

1Cor:7:29: But this I say, brethren, the time is short:

2Cor:6:2: now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Col:4:5: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Heb:4:16: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb:5:12: For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles

James 4:17 For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Two common threads that run through the lives of successful people: A sense of MISSION An understanding that success skills are LEARNED not inherited.

Benefits of Redeeming Time Reduced Stress Increases creativity Make more money; cut out wasteful spending. Improve the Quality of your work. Avoid embarrassment More time for your family. Avoid repeating same old tasks over and over.

The Scriptures command us to manage our time wisely: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:

“…to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” - Psalm 50:23

“He that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” - Proverbs 18:9

The choice is between: Efficiency is doing the job right. Effectiveness is doing the right job!

Why things become urgent Inability to say no Procrastination Improper planning Over committment True Emergencies

Time is a risk of life What activities have importance to me? What do I really enjoy doing and sharing? What am I doing when I feel God's approval? To what am I willing to dedicate my time and my life?

LIST GOAL BASED VALUES personal spiritual family professional physical, financial

CRITERIA: Specific details Measurable results Attainable value Recorded in writing Time dependent

Common attitudes: "What ever will be, will be" "Go with the flow" "Whatever comes my way" "Just wait and see"

Act on things by scheduling them to happen when we want, instead of reacting to them under "crisis management" when they occur.

If you don't plan your day, Your enemies will... the world will! the flesh will! the devil will!

How to Plan: Bringing future events into the present so that greater control can be applied. Avoids crisis management

To redeem the time Write EVERYTHING down! How creativity works. To fail to plan is a plan to fail.

The Planning Time An appointment with eternity Private Place - alone with God The same time every day

List all tasks from 3 sources: Routines: maintenance. Floaters: tasks to do eventually Values: steps toward goals.

Prioritize Designate in priority order Place in discretionary time slots

Schedule with time estimates “Work tends to expand to the time allowed to accomplish it” - Parkinson’s Law

“Everything takes twice as long as you think” - Murphy’s Law

* You no longer have a "To Do List", Now, you have a Plan of Redemption!

HANDLING “Time wasters”

Meetings- (min kept hrs lost) Moderated Agenda Time limits Circulate agenda in advance Resolve and assign agenda Follow up reports due dates

Interruptions(drop-ins, phone) Isolate Bar phone calls Schedule yourself first Group calls in one time slot. Clear desk: laser thinking

Time shortages Delegate AMAP Reduce unexpected Examine work methods Lower expectations. Last resort: More time.

Procrastination: Doing low priority tasks to avoid doing higher priority tasks.

Causes: Task is unpleasant Task is dull Task is too big Lack of focus Lazy Lack of knowledge or skill

To Overcome Procrastination Plan every day Big jobs into little Do hard things 1st Do easy now, now Use time blocks Focus on objectives Set self deadlines Obtain wise counsel “in the multitude of counsellers they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22) Consider the reward The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul (“Proverbs 13:19) Forget it! Delegate

Delegation Difficulties 1. Too many questions - write job’s Scope, Resources, Deadline 2. Too many tasks - limit load 3. Reverse delegation - ownership 4. Postponed deadlines - Connect

"Life is not what happens while making plans. But life is what happens to you because you plan." - Matthew Parvis

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.

The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." - Helen Keller

"A successful life is nothing but a collection of successful years.

A successful year is made up of a series of successful months.

A successful month is only a collection of successful days.

And a successful day is measured by the completion of successful events." - Dick Winwood

"(Be) not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." - The Apostle Paul

Copyright © 2000 by Dan Ondra