Life is busy (or 'full', as I prefer to say nowadays). There are lots of people to see, places to go, and things to do – more than we seem to have time for. In many ways, there is enough to do to fill multiple life times. But we only have one … so we must make choices between one thing and another. We have to determine priorities, discerning at times between what is urgent and what is really important.
I have always enjoyed thinking about life management and how best we can live fruitful yet enjoyable lives that please God. Check out the posts on this BLOG about Personal Development and you'll be able to access some of the ideas and concepts that have been a help to me.
David Allen's book Getting Things Done is an excellent guide to managing the many details of our lives. One of the keys to productivity is to have a good system to store all of your projects and tasks, along with the material related to them. Here are a few technological tools I have found helpful:
1. Evernote. This is an outstanding free program, that works on all computer operating system platforms. It enables you to set up 'notebooks' where you can store items such as ideas, photos, files, web pages links, audio recording and pretty much anything you imagine. I have a notebook for all the areas or roles of my life, with sub-folders for various categories. Everything is stored in the cloud and can be accessed from all of your devices.
2. Wunderlist. This is an excellent free task management system that also resides in the cloud, and can therefore be accessed from all of your devices (computer and mobile phone), with changes made on one device able to be synchronised across other devices. I try to get tasks or ideas out of my head as soon as possible so I have them stored in a place where I can remember and/or find them when I need to.
3. Dropbox. This is another great free program that enables you to store any kind of documents in the cloud. They can then be accessed from any device, as long as you have internet access. Of course, files can also be worked on or edited while offline. I keep my Journal, Bible devotional notes and other documents I am regularly accessing in my Dropbox folder. Sign up for free!
These powerful software tools, in addition to Outlook for email, my Contacts and my Calendars, help me keep my life relatively organised so I am in the right place at the right time and have the work and preparation required of me done on time.
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." [Moses - Ps.90:12. NIV]
"Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity (redeeming the time – KJV], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." [The Apostle Paul – Eph.5:15-17]