Gaaah! You caught me wasting time! I'm serious, I saw your RSS feed right as I was wasting time. *conviction*

1. Wikipedia (and/or internet "friends" is my #1 time waster.
2. I should be developing a better relationship with my brother AND practicing (violin) more.
3. Yes.
4. Hmm...I'll have to think. I've tried to cut back in some practical ways already.
5. I've asked my mom to ask me randomly if I'm on bunny trails while studying...

Ok, so those were probably rhetorical questions, but I had to answer them "aloud". Back to studying!!
Carley | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 4:11 pm | #

Scene: Brian steps groggily to his computer after waking up from an unintentional, mid-economics homewok nap (definitely did not get enough sleep last night). Check e-mail #1. Check e-mail #2. Check blog. Check Rebelution. Read post about wasting time. Oops. Guilt trip! Yeah, you got me too. ;)

I don't know if this is normal or really weird, but I actually do a better job of managing my time when I have a LOT to manage. I am a huge fan of the to-do list; my own sticky pad is sitting right next to my computer. However, when I only have a few things to get done (which is not very often, these days) I tend to procrastinate and assure myself that I'll have time later. This is a vicious lie. I never have time later because I waste it all away and then have to do all of those "few things" in a very short period of time.

1. My number one time waster is definitely the internet, unless it's one of those weekends where I decide I have time to read a fiction book, in which case that book consumes my life until I complete it.
2. Things I should be doing more: diligently reading all my current non-fiction books. I tend to drift toward a sort of "here and there" schedule with these rather than a disciplined chapter-a-day or something like that.

I need to get one of those sticky-pad notebooks. I love it.
Brian Whalen | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 4:33 pm | #

I am so excited that you wrote an article on time management and scheduling. Making the most of time is a passion of mine. It is so important, yet it is amazing how easy one can get sucked into wasting precious moments. I believe it comes down to having a purpose and knowing where you are going and what needs to be accomplished - when one is on a mission it is hard to stop him. I am actually working on flexiblity because I am so strictly addicted to all my schedules, lists, and forms! Good word about time spent with family is not time wasted, I have such a hard time sitting still to converse with them. Something I must work on...
Teresa Straub | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 5:33 pm | #

Wow. Thanks for this very practical blog post. Like the previous commenters, I am very convicted, and right in the middle of thinking about wasting time!

I liked your illustration about losing 10 minutes of time. 10 minutes of wasted time could have been 10 minutes praying or reading my Bible.
Sarah | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 5:37 pm | #

Excellent and very edifying.
JoAnna T. | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 5:38 pm | #

It's particularly great when you drive all around town looking for a nifty little post-it notebook as referenced in this post, and never find one. Five stores, and nothing even similar to it. That's what I call a waste of time, haha.
Brian Whalen | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 6:01 pm | #

Brian: Trying clicking here. :wink:
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 6:25 pm | #

Sweet. Thanks, Alex. Should have done that in the first place, I guess. ;)
Brian Whalen | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 6:35 pm | #

okay, you caught me! and thanks to my dad eavesreading, i got up and finished my chores before coming back to finish reading your post. :-)
thanks for challanging me (and the rest of us teenibloggers). i'll take this to heart.
jacqui | Homepage | 02.06.06 - 6:44 pm | #

Wow, this was a very convicting and useful post - I love the sticky-pad notebooks!
Adrielle | 02.06.06 - 6:58 pm | #

I soooo have this problem! The internet is my #1 time waster, and after that, probably my guitar. Thanks so much for the reminder to keep my focus and "redeem the time"
Abigail Snyder | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 4:51 am | #

I like the idea of the little post-it note book! I think I might get myself one! Very clever.



My #1 time-waster? Listening to music on my headphones while surfing the internet.
cait | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 9:33 am | #

Thanks for posting this, Brett!
Natalie | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 10:05 am | #

Thank you for this great post. Computers eat our time so fast...wow, it's amazing. You hit the nail on the head for me (like always) and I praise the Creator that he is working through the Rebelution in such a big way...may He use all of us to spread the message and renew the vision.
Seth | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 12:44 pm | #

Brett, thanks. I needed another prod in this direction. ;)
Hannah L. | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 3:11 pm | #

In economics opportunity costs is a term that closely agrees with your statement, "We've lost more than just 10 minutes of time. We've lost every good thing we might have done with those 10 minutes." The definition of opportunity costs is "the value of the best alternative opportunity forgone." In other words, because we are limited by time from doing everything we would like to, we have to pick the option that gives us the most satisfaction in light of what we are forgoing. Ever since studying economics (which I loved), I've often thought of opportunity costs in reference to my everyday life. In light of eternity, thanks for the reminder.
Lee | 02.07.06 - 8:29 pm | #

Wow, amazing! You caught me red handed on this one!!
Lately I've been full of stress with not getting things done. I've had completely packed days of things that needed to be done, and yet I somehow manage to hardly do a thing on those days. At the mention of message board I was immediatly convicted! I'm part of a team of attendents for a message board (*feels like if any of them from there read this... i'll be in trouble for not doing a quick comercial so...* check out www.barlowgirl.com/soundpost. Great place with a good Godly atmosphere ;-P) and thought I do need to be spending my time there to help moniter the board, and be the blessing to some people I need, I realize I can do exactly what i'm doing there now... with spending a lot less time.
So, being the youngest, and a homeschool (haha... what a lucky combo!!) my organization skills aren't the greatest, but I'm going to go for it! Organize my day, set it all out, get things done that need to be done! So thanks again guys for sharing what God put on your heart! It was definetly done for me to read! God bless!!
-Charlee
Charlee | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 2:28 pm | #

So convicting and very true. Thanx for the reminder!

By the way, I saw those holders at Walmart!
Lydia T. | 02.08.06 - 3:18 pm | #

Brett,

Awesome job! It's so neat how many people read this blog (including my sister, Lydia *wink*). It's so unfortunate that so many people get caught up in the internet.

Dad is actually trying to solve that problem for all us kids by making it a library sort of thing. You check out the cable connecting the modem to the phone line via Mom, and when you're done, you check it back in. That way the little boys are not graphics-searching (that's a REALLY scary thing right there), and Mom is reminded that we're on and need to get off. Since it's only been in effect four days, we shall see how it works in the long run...

Thank you so much for having such an awesome blog! It really puts a good light on homeschooling when guys like you are writing.
Allegra T. | Homepage | 02.10.06 - 7:00 pm | #

This is excellent.

I was actually looking for a simple system for organizing my schedule and better using my time, when I came across your post. I am an avid journaler and have been using post-it notes for several years as a way to increase its value as a spiritual discipline/tool. Having always loved post-it notes, I was thrilled to find a "wallet" size system that actually puts them to an inventive use!

Since reading your blog, I ordered it from online (from the link you provided) and have been using it for over two weeks. I love it. Thanks for the great suggestion!
Lisa | 03.10.06 - 6:13 pm | #

I've always felt terrible about wasting time. When I feel like I haven't accomplished anything meaningful, I feel so empty and guilty. I've noticed that I'm becoming lazier. Thank you for this article. I really need to start doing things that will build my character and have a plan to stick to it.
My #1 Time waster: Listening to music. It's really sad how much time I've wasted just doing this.
Minerva | 03.16.06 - 6:06 pm | #

Thank you for setting this example brother, It is a 'focus method' worth the time!
Andrew J. Ross | 06.12.06 - 12:40 pm | #