Find the Most Efficient Way to Do Things

“The men who succeed are the efficient few. They are the few who have the ambition and will power to develop themselves.”

—ROBERT BURTON

Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.

—Colossians 4:5

I can remember a time in my life when I would spend days and lots of gas trying to get a pair of shoes on sale. I thought I was being frugal by searching for the ones on sale, but it finally dawned on me, I was wasting more time and money than I was saving. We often forget that for most of us, time is money. If you waste your time, you are wasting one of the most precious gifts God has given you. Once time is used, we never get it back, so we should spend it wisely.

For example, learn to combine errands. You may think you’re doing well because you’re doing everything the moment you think of it and not procrastinating, but when it comes to errands, that is not always the best strategy. Plot out a route that doesn’t waste time and gas, and set aside a specific time each week to go where you need to. It will help you not feel so frazzled. If you feel like you are constantly running around all over the place, maybe you are!

I have recently started writing down phone calls I need to make and setting aside specific times to make all my phone calls for that day. It keeps me from feeling like I am on the phone every few minutes. I realize some calls cannot wait, but a lot of them can. Also, remember you do not have to take every call that comes in on your phone. Technology today enables us to know most of the time who is calling, and it may be someone you can call back later when you make your phone calls. This will help you feel you are ordering your day instead of it ordering you.

There are many ways to save time, and we need to take the time to look for them. Think about what you have been doing recently and see if you can creatively come up with ways to be more efficient. This will give you a great start to achieving a simple life.