Where'd the Time Go

Everyone is Busy

Whenever I ask someone how they are doing, the inevitable response is "I'm good, but so busy." (I am guilty of this too.)

I'm not sure if this is a form of validation or if we really are that busy, but one thing that has become very clear to me is that being being busy is not unique but in fact is expected. 

Where did the time go?

Have you ever been sitting at the computer at work or been at the job site and suddenly realize that you have been there too long? We always ask ourselves, "Where did the time go?" This is usually followed by the comment, "There is just not enough time in the day."

We each have 24 hrs in the day, and if we are getting enough sleep, then we each have somewhere near 14-16 hours to spend as we need to. So, where does out time go? If we analyze our daily business, what comes to the forefront? 

Ask yourself the question; what makes me so busy? 

Here are some likely answers that center around work and home:

Work

Projects, Training, Networking, Meetings, Overtime, Bringing work home, Late nights in the office,  Out with Co-workers, 

Home

Kids School, Parents School, Sports, Cleaning, Organizing, Projects, Errands, Activities, Preparing food, 

Many more things could be added to both of these list.

The Fillers

Although all of these things above do take up a lot of time, if we are honest with ourselves we all have a time that we feel the need to fill. Commutes to work, Standing in line or waiting rooms, moments between meeting and activities, even time at home falls into this categorize.

Each of us handles these moments differently. Some pull out their phones, some put in their earbuds, some pull out their schedules, for others its a quick time to read or catch-up up on email. These become habits that we enjoy and find ourselves defaulting to.

What are your fillers?

What gets neglected?

When we fill even the smallest moments of our lives, two things tend to happen. 1) We feel very busy 2) We neglect some things.

My question is, what is being neglected?

Generally family and faith are sacrificed at the alter of "busy." This is proven time and time again, as work-a-holics become absent parents and default habits take the place of our quiet times. We all have the tendancy to prioritize our work and our leizure over our home. Even at home, we find ways to be distracted from our kids and our God. 

Now ask yourself what you think is most important in your life. Does you "time spent" report match what you believe is most important?

Verdict?

Where did the time go? Many places, but maybe not where it is needed most.

Think about it.