I’m trying to make changes to my typically unfulfilling corporate day. Sometimes you’re so busy doing one thing that it’s hard to find time to give it up for something else. My wife would tell you that I’ve got too much going on to take on anything new. Maybe you’ll agree; maybe you’ll think I’m just a whiner.

To give you an idea of what my average week looks like, I’ll share my schedule. This is a good exercise for anyone to see how they use their time. I suggest you give it a shot yourself.

Sunday (~5 hours of family/free time)

• 7:00am - wake up (this varies by an hour or two in either direction depending on the girls).
• I generally try to have some relaxation and family time on Sunday morning because it’s about the only time I get.
• 12:00pm - I’ve usually started last-minute preparations for the Youth Ministry meeting this afternoon. Sometimes this involves hitting the grocery store or Kinko’s.
• 2:00pm - the absolute latest I leave to set up the youth center and the drums at church.
• 4:00pm - practice starts for Mass.
• 5:00pm - Mass.
• 6:15pm - Youth meeting starts.
• 9:00pm - Back home in time to kiss the girls goodnight and head to bed.

Monday -Friday (an hour or two of free/family time each day)

• 5:30am - Wake up, get ready, and go to work.
• 7:00am - Work (I’m a software tester by day).
• 4:00pm - Back home; an hour or so of music composition.
• 5:00pm - Read a few stories to the girls and have some play time.
• 6:00pm - Usually spent at dinner or in meetings. Each Wednesday I have a meeting with my ministry team.
• 7:00pm - Youth ministry administration, contract work, occasionally some decompression (reading or talking to my wife). Most nights the TV is on for a bit during this time, but LOST and The Office are the only shows that get my full attention.
• 10:00pm - Back to bed, unless I’ve got outstanding work to do from one of my other ventures. Sometimes a deadline for a song, or paperwork that just has to be done by the morning, will keep me up later.

Saturday

• Saturdays are the wild card. Recently I was involved with Home Works which took all of one Saturday. This week, my wife’s cousin’s wedding will take up the majority of the day. My real estate investing venture often requires a Saturday clean-up or attendance at a seminar.

So, I’ve committed to making changes and I’ve sliced out a little bit of time to make progress on my goals, but is it enough? A goal without a plan is just a wasted index card. Next week we’ll explore next actions.