“I should time myself doing this.”
Timing things I do helps me BE FULLY PRESENT. Allowing for no distractions, no aimlessness, no getting side-tracked, no wondering where the time went.
While it might sound kind of rigid, maybe even robotic, it forces me to be singularly devoted to what I’m doing. When time is up, I truly move on. Knowing I gave my undivided attention to it. A beautiful feeling!
I time as many things as I can: certain exercises, tasks of cleaning out closets and drawers, special projects that need attention, grocery shopping, editing this newsletter. The list goes on and on. Think about how many things you can get done well in a day if you put a limit on the time you devote to it. You can always go back for another round if you don’t finish it all in one shot.
I even time my prayer! I know, that sounds uncharitable to God. The truth is, I tend to pray all day! But there’s 15 minutes I dedicate to solid meditative prayer midday, almost every day. Again, no distractions, no interruptions, no sounds, no sights, just me, my timer, and God. It’s a non-negotiable timeslot, set aside, to get focused and go deeper with God. 15 minutes. No more. No less. Timed. And then move on with the rest of my day and my work, still conversing with Him and continuing in His presence.
While the idea of timing many things sounds apathetic, it’s quite the opposite. It’s my way of bringing the best me forward. Focused, devoted, dedicated. Singular in thought. Fully engaged. All of me. And this is why my timer is something I have to have.