It's a new week guys! We thank God for life and health. Despite all the chaos around us, I believe that God will continue to keep us safe through it all.
I know most of us are under some sort of quarantine or lockdown, or just being advised to stay at home. With all that's going on it's very easy to find yourself wasting time. Personally, I'm finding it very difficult to be productive and to use my time profitably. I find myself checking social media every 10 minutes instead of focusing on work that I need to do. And I'm certain that I'm not the only one. I think social media usage (and the Internet in general) is going to hit its peak within this time period. I'm sure the owners of Netflix and Tiktok are over the moon with the amount of usage these apps are getting.
Despite the urge to just waste our days eating, sleeping and binge watching series, it's necessary that we make the most out of the free time we've been given at this point in time. And here are 5 suggestions on how we can use our time in the most efficient way.
1. Plan your daily activities
Before going to bed, try planning your activities for the next day, that way you have an idea of how you're going to spend it. Put down the things that need to get done and stick to your plan. This will help you get into the habit of doing everything at a set time and will help you to be more active, rather than wasting your day because you felt that there was nothing to do.
DON'T PROCRASTINATE.
Anything you need to get do now, do it. Don't let it wait 'til tomorrow else you'll never get things done.
Try to keep to your sleep pattern; sleeping and waking up on time. This way you'll be able to get enough work done during the day. It's very easy to slip into laziness but I believe if we ask the Holy Spirit to give us strength to power through the day productively, He'll help us use our time wisely.
2. Learn something new
This is the perfect time to learn how to play an instrument, draw, paint, programming, read a book; anything you've been dying to try out but haven't had the time this year to do so. This is the time to start any New Year's goals that you haven't had the chance to start yet.
There's really not much of an excuse anymore that you're busy. You don't want to move on from this period of 'free time' knowing you couldn't begin taking a step towards achieving your goals.
3. Spend time with your family and check up on loved ones
For some people, spending time with family hasn't been easily possible so far this year, for one reason or another. But during this time of staying at home, we should try engaging with them more, rather than being glued to our phones. Play board games, watch a movie together, pray together; anything that involves being around each other. If you can't, call them up more often, see how they're doing and talk to them about what's going on in your life. Thank God we're in an era of technology so our parents and siblings are just a phone call/ text away.
Some of us have had to leave friends behind or haven't even spoken to some of our old friends in ages. Take this time to check up on them, no matter if you just saw them a few days ago or you haven't heard from them in years. Some people might be panicking or feeling on edge due to this pandemic, and hearing from you might just be the thing that calms them down or gives them hope.
4. Spend more time with God
God allows things to happen for a reason. One thing I've been hearing a lot is that, during this time, our walk with God can either be fired up or it may fade away. This time of lockdown has caused a lot of churches to close, but we are being reminded that the church isn't just a building; WE ARE THE CHURCH.
We need to use this time to draw closer to God and not just spend it browsing through social media. This is the time to study God's Word, pray more, talk to Him more and fast. I've honestly been feeling so peckish during this time at home; not because I'm hungry, but just because I'm not doing any work or activity. So for those of you who are like me, I know fasting doesn't seem like an enticing idea. But when you fast, you're able to discipline your body and let your Spirit take control of your actions. That way, you're able to do the things that God desires, rather than what your body wants you to do.
With Bible studying, it would be great to have an accountability partner so that you can both make sure you're learning something new each day. Which brings me to the 5th point.
5. Being accountable
Whether it's having an accountability partner or keeping a diary of your events each day, find an effective way of making sure you spend each minute to the fullest.
I believe self reflection at the end of each day will help you to keep track of how you're spending your time. Write down daily goals you wish to achieve so that you'll be able to tick each of them off at the end of the day.
How are you keeping yourself active during your stay at home? Let me know in the comments section below or email/message me on social media. Have a great day and stay productive.
Stay blessed and stay a blessing.
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