By Karynthia Glasper-Phillips @QT_HisTime

“for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.”— (Psalms 102:13) NIV

Several months  ago,  just as the Covid-19 pandemic began, I was in prayer about concerns of family, ministry, career, and writing goals, like many of you. One focus of my prayers associated with these areas involved time management strategies for writing. Now in the new era of Covid-19, all we have IS time in our new normal of doing life from home. How are we using it? What adjustments have you made to write, write, and write some more? During this appointed time we can allow God to use our gifts and talents to encourage and guide the world,  by the written word expressed in blogs, fiction, non-fiction, poems and plays to ignite revival and further build the Kingdom of God.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.”
~ William Penn

In the past, using planners has been helpful to keep me on task most days; however, this has recently become less  effective for scheduling writing. Like me, you may also be experiencing poor time management, watching too much of the news, and other non-creative activities. After missing a few deadlines, I began to pray for strategies to redeem writing time and avoid  writer’s  block.  No worries:  the planner is still in use;  however, I had to start inserting added “timed modules” on 4×6 Post-It notes for each day  (alternating 4-5 activity categories on an MWF rotation to limit overload).

The following categories are included on my Post-it note:

• Personal devotion  (prayer, Bible reading, and reflective journaling/ 30-60minutes)
• Exercise  (30-60minutes)
• Writing period (2 hours; early  morning)
• Emails (30 minutes)
• Social media (30 minutes; 15  minutes /a.m., 15 minutes /p.m.)
• Review ongoing research  (1 hour)
• Typing (1 hour/late evening)
• Reading  (at least  1 hour ; a ll writers should be readers)
• Research the  publishing industry  (1 hour)

Of course, the times  and order  will vary  each day.  If  you are a bi-vocational writer (like me), most days this will help you  stay on  task. Your allocation of specific  module categories will be determined by your personal life. I encourage you to pray about your list and allow the Lord to guide your set time.  Your writing schedule should be designed based on your bio-rhythm peak, which is your most mental alert time. It is vital to know your prime time to write and protect it.  When there are days that all tasks are not checked off, extend yourself grace, and start fresh tomorrow.

The task list will also help you incorporate a 5-minute PAUSE  every 20-30 minutes per item,  using the Pomodoro  technique for addressing large chunks of work in small sections. Writers can  benefit from this technique and allow brain rest and scheduled breaks. The premise of time management is to organize and complete tasks successfully. I also teach the Pomodoro technique to my biology and anatomy/physiology students,  to help them develop study habits and hone skills to absorb large amounts of information.

Creating and using the writers task lists described will:

1. Minimize the  open-door  policy  of accepting unplanned calls and spontaneous meetings.
2. Eliminate  guilt for declining opportunities that are not always directed toward your goals.
3. Establish better boundaries of value for  your  time.

Christian writers must be  vigilant, as the enemy  does not want your message publicized. Time management with built-in boundaries controls your workplace to decrease distractions. If  possible, take time to  assess your writing needs and  create an environment that guarantees you are comfortable and productive, with effective and efficient time management.

“It is not enough to be busy . . . The question  is:  What are we busy about?” -  Henry David Thoreau

In preparation for your next writing day,  be sure to guard  your time as if  it were  your heart  (Proverbs 4:24). The world is waiting to read what God is  downloading into you. “The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. . . “ (Matthew 9:37). Now is your time  to share the gospel. Relinquish the excuse of busyness  and  pray about intentionality to  offer hope.

What can you eliminate from your daily schedule to add more time in hearing from God to answer the call to write?

Karynthia Glasper-Phillips a speaker and author whose workshops, coaching, and blogs, integrate the importance of selfcare of spirit, mind, and body as the foundation for effectiveness in fulfilling any life call.

She is bi-vocational as a minister, internal medicine practitioner, and conference speaker. She is an adjunct professor at American Baptist College.  Karynthia is an advocate for decreasing disparity of cancer among women as demonstrated in her work with nonprofit organization Echoes of Hope, Inc.

Karynthia’s coaching style is visible in her passion to see clients connect the dots and step beyond their personal boundaries into fulfillment of goals and dreams as speakers, business owners, leaders, and authors. Her unique ability to combine well-being in her coaching style hones client’s skills, which make their strong characteristics shine brighter as they journey forward achieving their vision as God designed.

To name a few achievements Karynthia is a contributing author in Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie’s book, Not Without a Struggle: Leadership for African American Women in Ministry.  Karynthia is also a contributing writer for Our Daily Bread. Most recently collaborative project Blessed Is She released 2019 with Discovery House.

As a wife and mother in her spare time she enjoys crocheting, horseback riding, color painting, and playing the flute. Her desire to see a revival of Scripture reading is her prayer. She and her husband and adult children live in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her mantra:  “Self-care is not by Chance it’s a Choice.”

BeyondBoundaryConsulting.com

Facebook : Karynthia Glasper-Phillips