Do you ever struggle with a lack of time and feel like you just can’t get everything done? Do you ever wonder how you are supposed to be the artist that God has called you to be, yet don’t seem to have enough hours in the day? Well, if that’s you, then keep reading because I’ve got some practical strategies for finding more time for the things that really matter.
One of the five roadblocks I’ve seen hold artists back over the years is this whole concept of overwhelm and the lack of time. You might be nodding your head right now, thinking, Matt, I know what you mean. A lot of artists struggle with this, but here is the thing that I have learned about overwhelm and lack of time. How you spend your time is simply a reflection of a few things in your life:
And all of this can be summed up into one word: Vision. How you spend your time is directly related to vision. It’s the Bible that tells in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” or as another version reads, “the people cast off restraint,” and one of my favorite translations says that without vision that “people run wild.” So how does all this relate to time and time management? Vision from God about your life and art allows you to have a standard by which you choose how to use and prioritize your time. It helps you to know who you are and what you are called or meant to do in your life and with your art. Without that in place, then it's too easy to let circumstances and other people determine what your priorities are in life. Then before you know it, your time, your money, your energy, and your focus have been hijacked by someone else’s agenda. I had to get to this place in my own life. The place where I fully embraced God’s call and plan for my life as a husband, a dad, an artist, and as a father to Artists. Understanding who God created me to be and knowing what He has called me to do guides how I choose to invest my time. This vision for my life helps me to prioritize what I say yes to and what I say no to in my day. What’s Eating Up YOUR Day? So, I am going to give you a little assignment that you can do right now to start taking control of your time. For the next seven days, grab your journal, a legal pad, or even a piece of paper and write down everything that you are doing in 15-minute increments. Now, I know that you are probably saying, “OMG! That is a lot of detail.” Yeah, it is, and that’s the point. This time assessment is a commitment, but it’s really going to reveal where you are spending your time. Yes, I want you to include the random scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, the daydreaming, and anytime you spend unfocused. Be sure to include doing things for your family and friends, even the things you do out of guilt or obligation. Time for YOUR Aha Moment And then at the end of the week, what I want you to do is this: Go back through that assessment and look at the areas where you choose to spend your time. Ask yourself the following questions:
The point of this exercise is not to feel shame for what you didn’t do but to help you see what you can do. Most people who do this week-long time assessment end up having a complete light bulb moment of realization: “OOOohhhhh! My Goodness! I’ve wasted a whole lot of time on a whole bunch of nothing.” The important thing is to take that Aha moment and use it as a call to action. Ask Yourself This Once you’ve completed this exercise and find yourself staring in the depth of this Aha moment, this is what I want you to ask yourself. “What am I willing to give up or change in my life right now in order to live the life that I believe that God has designed me to live as an artist?” I know that it's a tough question, and not one to be answered lightly. But I’m also convinced that every artist who answers this question is ready to step into the fullness of what God has for them. I hope this has been a big encouragement to you. If this article has been a blessing to you, take a moment to share it with a friend, share on social media and comment below! Thanks for reading.
15 Comments
9/25/2020 06:59:02 am
Really good article... thank you. The questions you ask are of great importance. They cause us to soul search and sort through all the weaves of our lives to find that one stand called art. Staying in the word, prayer, family and those Im joined with in Christ, are a given, caring for my home is a given, but the art strand is the live wire I’m trying to sort out at the moment. Surprisingly I do not have a clear vision! I have goals of what I like to learn, and many desires. But a vison is another category. It’s a whole different animal. It will then guide the time management. Thanks for sharing your life lessons, saying yes, and following the call.
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Amy Hindman
9/25/2020 07:18:16 am
Time management is the most challenging part to artwork followed by the business end, as it must be for a lot of artists. My husband is the largest "time sucker". For example, this week he wants me to brushhog all the pastures while he goes on 2nd elk hunting trip. Then, my mom lives next door, and needs me to do most things g for her(grocery shopping, housecleaning, taking her to dr apt, etc). Last summer, my husband stayed over at his business during the week and I was able to squeeze in about 3 hours a day for 4 to 5 days a week! My art began developing phenomenally! Loved it!
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Beth Jensen-Warner
9/25/2020 11:57:30 am
Hang in there! Thank you for sharing.
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This is wonderful
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Joanne Duncan
9/25/2020 08:01:34 am
Hi Matt,
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Nathania
9/25/2020 12:50:09 pm
Hey Joanne, God is sooo good! We don't have a clue most of the time! You're not behind, God can catch you up! I ended up watching the repeats because I left fb about 5 or more years ago and I'm denied access constantly, no matter what I send as proof. It's the little things that count. Don't agree with the enemies lies, Jesus is right there with you! So is Holy Spirit! Blessings! Hold on, and don't let go!
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Janet Kubat
9/25/2020 08:22:18 am
Hi my name is Janet kubat. There is so much to say and so little time LOL! My friend sent me your link and I can tell you that's it was a Divine appointment for me! I feel like I'm saying amen amen amen to practically everything you say LOL! I am 73 years old. I travel the United States ,sharing my art and splashing the love of God on the people God connects with! I am a prophetic artist, an encourager, and a cheerleader of sorts, without the tutu LOL!
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Shelly Ann Guinn
9/25/2020 10:24:12 am
Hello Matt,
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Beth Jensen-Warner
9/25/2020 12:03:23 pm
I have an idea or some kind of desire what to do with certain tools, especially after buying a new art supply. 😁 I am learning to surrender all of this newfound knowledge and encouragement to be more disciplined to sit before the Lord, and to sit in His presence. Art is great but that is where the real life is. My next question is what to sell if I don’t create? Ha. So yeah I will probably keep listening to your podcasts as I’m trying to stay off Facebook. I have had to do a time study audit with work and it’s so helpful to get productive but you learn what your flow is and how to have grace for yourself. 15 min increments for life and art though?! That’s intense. I might do like hours and then down to 15 minutes. We shall see!
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Glenda frazee
9/25/2020 12:45:23 pm
Yes, I will start on this immediately, it would be great for mr to know if I am just spinning my wheels and wasting time.
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Kay Towesho
9/25/2020 04:24:55 pm
Thank you Matt I really need this! I am going to find out what is really eating my time. I also need to spend more time with Jesus, the fact that there is no organisation in my life shows how much I need Him! God bless you Matt!
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Emily Freeman
9/25/2020 11:54:16 pm
Thank you so much for this challenge. I believe time management is my biggest struggle, so I’m looking forward to getting a better handle on how I’m using mine!
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Quintinastaley
9/27/2020 09:16:52 am
This was very helpful I really needed to hear that thanks
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Glenda Frazee
9/28/2020 06:37:59 pm
I wold like to sign up for your mentoring series.
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AuthorMatt Tommey is an artist, author and mentor who is passionate about empowering artists to thrive spiritually, artistically and in business. Archives
May 2022
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