Are You Wasting Time or Using It Wisely?
Let’s be real, how often do you reach the end of the day and wonder where all your time went? You felt busy, but did you actually move forward?
Time isn’t something you can earn back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. And if you’re not intentional, distractions, endless meetings, and unnecessary tasks will eat up your most valuable resource.
The Bible gives us a clear example of how to use time wisely. When Nehemiah was tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, he didn’t rush in. He stopped. He assessed. He made a plan. Then, and only then, did he take action (Nehemiah 2:11-18).
That’s the model we’re going to follow. If you want to get things done and make real progress, it starts with how you manage your time.
Assess Before You Act
Nehemiah didn’t grab a hammer and start building the second he arrived in Jerusalem. Instead, he inspected the walls first; he took time to see what was broken, what needed fixing, and what resources he had to work with.
Too many people jump into action without fully understanding what they’re dealing with. Whether you’re running a business, leading a nonprofit, or just trying to manage your daily tasks, taking a moment to assess before acting can save you hours of wasted effort.
📌 Action Step: Take a step back and evaluate where your time is actually going. Use a time-tracking app or jot down your activities for a few days to see patterns.
Get Clear on Your Priorities
Once Nehemiah assessed the damage, he didn’t try to fix everything at once. He focused on what mattered most: rebuilding the walls. He didn’t let distractions pull him away from the main goal.
Here’s the hard truth: Not everything on your to-do list is important. Some things are urgent but not essential. Some things feel productive but are actually busy work.
The key is knowing what moves the needle and what’s just noise.
🔶 Ask yourself: What are the 3 most important things I need to accomplish this week?
📌 Action Step: Write down your top 3 priorities for the week. Everything else is secondary.
Plan Your Time Like It’s Money
Imagine someone hands you $24 every morning. The catch? You have to spend it all before the day ends. No saving. No carrying it over. How would you use it?
That’s how time works. You get 24 hours, and how you “spend” it determines your results.
Nehemiah didn’t wing it. He had a clear plan for what needed to happen and when. That’s how the walls got built in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15).
One of the best ways to plan your time is time-blocking—assigning specific time slots for focused work, meetings, and rest. When you block out time for your priorities, you don’t leave room for distractions.
📌 Action Step: Try time-blocking for the next 3 days. Assign specific time slots to your most important tasks and see how much more you accomplish. Need support? I'd love to walk you through this.
Protect Your Time Like Nehemiah Protected the Walls
Once the work started, Nehemiah faced distractions. People tried to pull him away from the project. But his response? “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3).
Let’s be honest—most of us get distracted way too easily. Social media, emails, phone calls, and unexpected requests pull us away from what actually matters.
If you want to make every minute count, you need boundaries. That means:
✅ Saying no to things that don’t align with your priorities
✅ Turning off notifications when working
✅ Setting clear office hours and protecting them
📌 Action Step: Identify your biggest distraction and eliminate it for the next 24 hours.
Execute with Focus and Discipline
Planning is only effective if you follow through. Nehemiah didn’t just make a plan, he executed it. He stayed focused, kept his team motivated, and didn’t stop until the job was done.
This is where most people struggle. They love the idea of planning, but when it’s time to do the work, distractions, procrastination, or perfectionism creep in.
Making every minute count means showing up and doing the work. No excuses. No overthinking. Just action.
📌 Action Step: Pick one important task you’ve been putting off and start it today. No overthinking. No waiting. Just get moving.
Your Time Is a Gift, Use It Well
Nehemiah understood that time was too valuable to waste. He assessed, planned, and acted with intention.
You have the same opportunity. Don’t let distractions, procrastination, or lack of direction rob you of what you could accomplish. Start managing your time like it actually matters, because it does.
Make today count. The future depends on what you do right now.
If you're looking for support with maximizing your time and aligning your week with your big goals for your year, let's chat.
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