Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Wisdom Wednesday #11 - Idleness





As promised, this week, we'll focus on the second part of this verse from Proverbs 31:

צ 27 She watches how things go in her house,
        not eating the bread of idleness.

 
When I think of all the work women had to do in Bible times, I wonder how they would ever have time to be idle, don't you?  


The internet is my greatest time waster.  I liken it to browsing in a library, which is one of my favorite things to do.  I can sit down to look up a phone number, and a couple of hours later I'm still there, learning about travel to Great Britain or pinning house projects and recipes on Pinterest.  The odd thing about it is, it feels like I'm busy.  I'm not.  I'm being idle.  Wasting time.


With all the many things I do, and have to keep track of, I've found it helpful to keep a list like this on a clipboard. It really helps me stay organized and focused.  



On the back, I have a column for "To Buy" and "House Projects" - with lots of space to write notes to myself.  I'm a list-maker, and love crossing things off.  

I also use the Six Most Important Things list idea, which I learned from Mary Kay Ash.  Every day, I make a list of those things to do, and I categorize them by importance or urgency.  Then, I start with number one and work my way down.  If I don't finish, I add it to tomorrow's list.  This really works well for me. 


These are all in addition to my daily routine of house maintenance, cooking three meals a day, and laundry.  I've found it really helpful to just do a little bit every day, rather than a full day of housecleaning. 

If I finish everything on my list, then I can enjoy some time on Pinterest without guilt.  

One of my all-time favorite books is Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Ann Ortlund.  She taught me a great deal about discipline and organization.  I highly recommend every woman read it.

I'd love to know what helps you stay organized and focused.

Shavua Tov! (Have a good week)
***
 I'm sharing this post with:
Spiritual Sundays

Let's Get Social Sunday

Modest Mom Monday Link-up 

A Wise Woman Builds
Whole Hearted Wednesday 

Hearts for Home
Favorite Things 

8 comments:

  1. I have so many friends I would call Proverbs 31 women...they are the ultimate multitaskers. I think the Internet has helped us in so many ways to do even more...but you are right, we have to be careful not to get carried away with it...as with anything...moderation! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday blog hop!

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    1. You are so right, Pam. The internet has helped me tremendously. How did we live without it, right?

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  2. I love this, I myself have struggled and still struggle with fighting the hands of idleness. I try and get all my cleaning/cooking/blogging done first, and like you this has lead to guilt free internet surfing. Great post!

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  3. The internet is definitely my greatest time waster. It can be a wonderful tool or a big time waster. Thank you for the encouragement to focus on more important things.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  4. I have to keep lists too. It helps me to have a more productive day. Thank you for helping to make the Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop so much fun. Big Hugs ♥

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  5. Awwww, I LOVED that book. I must have reread it at least a couple of times when my kids were young. In fact, I read almost all of her books and loved them all. Thanks for the grand memories for this visit via Spiritual Sunday. :)

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  6. I love making lists of things to do each day but I tend to put too much on my list. I also make sure that I get housework done before computer time. Thanks for linking up with me.

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