Finding the Time: How to Make the Most of Your 24 Hours
The great news is that every one of us has the same amount of time in a day 24 - hours, nothing more, nothing less. Yet we all use that time differently.
Some people sleep most of it away, while others trade it for money, spend it with family, run businesses, engage in ministry, study for school, or pursue sports and hobbies. With all the activities we pack into each day, it’s no wonder we often wish for extra hours.
In my conversations with moms and young people, their greatest challenge is managing those 24 hours.
Their typical go-to solution is multitasking. Multitasking is great, but it can affect your productivity, cause you end up not giving 100% to tasks you are juggling.
So, how can we manage our time effectively?
Step 1: Audit Your Day (Or Week)
Choose Your Method
Use a journal, a spreadsheet, or an app on your phone, whatever you’ll actually stick with.
Record Everything
Write down each activity in 30-minute increments. For example:
7:00–7:30 AM: Morning routine (brush teeth, get dressed, check phone)
7:30–8:00 AM: Breakfast with kids
8:00–8:15 AM: Social media scrolling (unplanned!)
… and so on.
Note Interruptions & Unplanned Tasks
If you get a surprise phone call or sudden errand, jot it down. These are potential “time thieves.”
You might feel you are too busy to document daily activities, but not tracking your time is like pouring water into a leaking jug. You’ll keep expending energy without addressing the real problem. Find the leak, your personal “time thief”, and seal it off.
Step 2: Highlight Your Priorities
Use a Rating System
Give each task 1 to 5 stars (1 = not very important, 5 = crucial).
Alternatively, use different colors or labels (e.g., Must Do, Nice to Do, Time Waster).
Ask Key Questions
“Does this task align with my goals or values?”
“Is this something I can delegate?”
“How important is this, really?”
Example: If you spent 45 minutes scrolling social media, you might give that 1 star. If you spent 30 minutes on family budgeting, that might get 4 or 5 stars.
Step 3: Get Creative with Your Time
“Killing two birds with one stone” is not the same as multitasking. It’s about combining like tasks in a smart way.
Example: Take an online business course during your lunch break or responding to customer emails while waiting at a dental appointment.
Also, delegate, if Possible. This is the best way to kill two birds, and even 10 birds with one stone. What I mean by this is that while you are working on one task, someone else is working on your other tasks.
Ask yourself: What tasks can I delegate? This might mean assigning chores to family members, hiring a helper, or outsourcing certain responsibilities to free up your schedule.
Step 4: Manage Your Mindset
Ask yourself whether you genuinely believe you have enough time each day. If your answer is “no,” consider how to shift your mindset. Often, how we perceive our time impacts how we use it.
Telling yourself you “don’t have enough time” can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, affirm you do have time for important things and work to make it so.
Step 5: Build a Daily Routine & Include Rest
Finally, create a daily routine that helps you unwind, whether it’s listening to music, playing with your kids, reading a book, or simply taking a few moments for yourself.
Proper rest and relaxation ensure you have the energy to tackle the next day’s tasks.
Learning to manage your time effectively starts with awareness. By documenting your day, prioritizing tasks, identifying time thieves, and making small but meaningful changes, you’ll see a significant difference in how you feel and how much you accomplish. Remember, we all have 24 hours—it’s how we use them that counts.
Final Tips
Start small: Try the time documentation exercise for just one day if a full week feels overwhelming.
Be honest: Track everything, even the activities you’re not proud of.
Stay flexible: Time management strategies can evolve as your life changes (e.g., new job, new baby, new routines).
Keep going, and soon enough, you’ll feel more in control of your days—and less wishing for more hours!
