Background
I’ll never forget the semester I thought I could do it all. Between lectures, church commitments, a part-time job, and trying to maintain some sort of social life, I was running on fumes. I’d stay up until 2 a.m. finishing assignments I’d had weeks to complete, rush through my quiet time with God (when I remembered it at all), and constantly feel like I was letting everyone down—including myself.
One particularly rough Wednesday, I missed an important group project meeting because I’d double-booked myself. Again. As I sat in my room that evening, overwhelmed and exhausted, I opened my Bible almost by accident. The page fell to Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
That verse hit differently that night. God wasn’t calling me to do everything—He was calling me to be wise with the time He’d given me. That realisation changed everything. I began to understand that managing my time well wasn’t just about productivity; it was about stewardship. God had entrusted me with 24 hours each day, and how I used them mattered.
If you’ve ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day, or if you’re constantly playing catch-up with your responsibilities, friend, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: effective time management isn’t about cramming more into your schedule. It’s about making intentional choices that honour God, serve others, and help you flourish in the purposes He’s called you to.
Let me share ten practical techniques that have transformed not just my productivity, but my entire approach to living purposefully.
1. Start With Prayer and Priority-Setting
Before you dive into any planning system or technique, begin with prayer. This might sound basic, but it’s the foundation everything else builds upon.
When we bring our time before God, we’re acknowledging that our days belong to Him first. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This isn’t just about counting hours—it’s about asking God to help us see our time through His eyes.
Practically, this looks like: Spending the first few minutes of your day asking God to order your steps. Proverbs 16:3 encourages us: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Before you check your phone, before you review your to-do list, invite God into your day. Ask Him what matters most today. You’ll be surprised how this simple practice brings clarity to what once felt chaotic.
I started doing this during my final year at university, and it changed everything. Some mornings, God would impress upon me that a struggling friend needed my time more than another hour in the library. Other days, He’d give me peace to focus intensely on a project without guilt. Prayer doesn’t just manage your time—it aligns your heart with what truly matters.
2. Use the Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent vs. Important)
Not everything that screams for your attention deserves it. One of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered is the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps you categorise tasks based on urgency and importance.
Here’s how it works: Draw a simple grid with four quadrants. Tasks that are both urgent and important go in the first box—these you do immediately. Tasks that are important but not urgent go in the second box—these you schedule. Tasks that are urgent but not important get delegated or minimised. And tasks that are neither urgent nor important? You eliminate them.
From a faith perspective, this connects beautifully with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we prioritise what’s truly important—our relationship with God, our calling, our character development—the urgent but trivial things lose their power over us.
As a student, I used to treat every notification, every request, every assignment with equal urgency. The matrix helped me see that attending my discipleship group (important, not urgent) mattered more than scrolling through social media (neither urgent nor important), even though the latter often felt more pressing in the moment.
Try this: List everything you need to do this week. Now, honestly place each item in one of the four quadrants. You might be shocked to discover how much time you’re giving to things that don’t truly matter. This exercise isn’t about being ruthless—it’s about being intentional with the gift of time God has given you.
3. Practice Time Blocking
Time blocking is the practice of assigning specific blocks of time to specific tasks or types of work. Instead of working from a vague to-do list, you’re creating a visual schedule that shows exactly when you’ll do what.
The Apostle Paul understood this principle. In 1 Corinthians 9:26, he writes, “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” Paul was intentional. He knew where he was going and what he was doing. Time blocking helps us run our race with that same purposeful direction.
Here’s how to start: Look at your week and block out non-negotiables first—your work or class hours, your quiet time with God, your church commitments, your rest time (yes, rest is non-negotiable). Then, add blocks for specific projects or study sessions. Give each block a clear focus.
For instance, my Monday mornings are blocked for writing and creative work when my mind is freshest. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are for community and connection. Friday afternoons are my “admin block” for emails, planning, and life maintenance tasks. This structure doesn’t make life rigid—it actually creates freedom because I’m not constantly deciding what to do next or feeling guilty about what I’m not doing.
The spiritual dimension: Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Time blocking helps us honour these seasons and times, ensuring we’re not neglecting important areas of life. It’s stewarding your time with intention rather than accident.
4. Apply the Two-Minute Rule
Here’s a simple but game-changing principle from productivity expert David Allen: if something takes less than two minutes, do it now.
That email you need to reply to? Do it now. That dish in the sink? Wash it now. That quick text to confirm your meeting? Send it now. These tiny tasks pile up and create mental clutter when left undone. But when you handle them immediately, you free your mind for more important work.
This principle aligns with Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Even the small things matter when we’re doing them as unto the Lord. Those two-minute tasks are opportunities to practise faithfulness in little things.
In practice: I used to write down everything, even tiny tasks, thinking I was being thorough. My to-do list would be filled with things like “reply to Sarah’s message” or “put books back on shelf.” These tiny items made my list overwhelming and gave me a false sense of being busy. When I started applying the two-minute rule, my actual to-do list became focused on tasks that genuinely needed dedicated time and attention.
A word of balance: Don’t let two-minute tasks interrupt deep work. If you’re in a focused study session or prayer time, jot down the two-minute task for your next break. The rule is about eliminating procrastination on quick tasks, not about becoming constantly reactive to every little thing that pops up.
5. Embrace Single-Tasking Over Multitasking
Our culture celebrates multitasking, but research consistently shows that it actually makes us less productive and more stressed. When we split our attention, we do multiple things poorly instead of one thing well.
Jesus modelled this beautifully. Even when crowds pressed in on Him, even when demands were urgent, He often withdrew to pray alone (Luke 5:16). He was fully present with the person in front of Him. When He taught, He taught. When He prayed, He prayed. When He healed, He healed. He wasn’t scattered—He was focused.
The practice: Choose one task and give it your full attention until it’s complete or until your scheduled time for it ends. Turn off notifications. Close unnecessary tabs. Put your phone in another room if needed. Be fully present with what you’re doing.
I discovered this during exam season when I tried studying with my phone nearby, music playing, and social media open “just in case someone needed me.” I’d spend three hours at my desk but accomplish maybe forty-five minutes of actual learning. When I finally committed to single-tasking—phone away, one subject, full focus—I accomplished more in ninety minutes than I had in entire afternoons of scattered effort.
Spiritually speaking, this is about presence. Philippians 4:8 calls us to think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy. When we single-task, we’re honouring the present moment as a gift from God, rather than constantly wishing we were somewhere else or doing something else.
6. Set SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound)
Vague goals lead to vague results. “I want to be more productive” or “I want to grow spiritually” are beautiful desires, but they’re too broad to create real change. SMART goals give us a framework to turn desires into reality.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time.” When we make our goals specific and write them down, we’re much more likely to run toward them with purpose.
Here’s how it works:
- Specific: Instead of “read the Bible more,” try “read one chapter of Proverbs each morning.”
- Measurable: You can track whether you’ve done it or not.
- Achievable: One chapter is doable, even on busy days.
- Relevant: It aligns with your value of growing in wisdom.
- Time-bound: Each morning gives you a specific timeframe.
Apply this to productivity: Instead of “work on my dissertation,” try “write 500 words on Chapter 2 by 11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.” See the difference? The second version removes ambiguity and gives you a clear target.
I used to set massive goals that left me feeling defeated. “Get fit” became “attend gym three times this week.” “Be a better friend” became “call one friend each Sunday evening.” These specific goals were achievable, and each small win built momentum for the next.
The faith connection: We serve a God of order and purpose. When we set clear goals, we’re reflecting His nature. We’re also positioning ourselves to see His faithfulness more clearly because we can actually measure progress and growth.
7. Learn to Say No (and Protect Your Yes)
This might be the hardest technique on this list, especially if you’re naturally helpful or struggle with people-pleasing. But friend, if you say yes to everything, your yes means nothing.
Jesus said no. He didn’t heal every sick person in Israel. He didn’t attend every gathering. He didn’t meet every need. In Mark 1:37-38, the disciples found Jesus praying and said, “Everyone is looking for you!” His response? “Let us go somewhere else… so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Jesus knew His mission, and He protected it by saying no to good things that weren’t His things.
The principle: Every yes to something is a no to something else. When you say yes to that extra commitment, you’re saying no to rest, or study time, or family time, or margin to help when unexpected needs arise. You have limited time. Steward it well.
Practically: Before saying yes to any request, pause. Pray. Ask yourself: Does this align with my current season and calling? Will this help or hinder my existing commitments? Am I saying yes out of fear, guilt, or genuine conviction? If you need time to decide, say, “Let me pray about it and get back to you.”
I learned this the painful way when I joined four different campus groups in my second year. I was exhausted, stretched thin, and not fully present anywhere. When I finally resigned from two of them to invest deeply in the remaining two, I felt guilty at first. But soon, I experienced the joy of doing a few things well rather than many things poorly.
Remember: Saying no to something good can mean saying yes to something better. And sometimes, saying no is the most spiritual thing you can do.
8. Use the Pomodoro Technique for Focused Work
The Pomodoro Technique is brilliantly simple: work in focused 25-minute intervals (called “Pomodoros”), followed by a 5-minute break. After four Pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break.
This technique works because our brains aren’t designed for hours of unbroken concentration. We need rhythm—work and rest, focus and release. This mirrors the biblical principle of Sabbath rest. Even God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3), not because He was tired, but to establish a rhythm for creation.
How to implement it: Choose a task. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Work with complete focus until the timer rings. Then take a 5-minute break—stretch, pray, grab water, step outside. Repeat. The short timeframe makes daunting tasks feel manageable. Instead of “I need to study for three hours,” it becomes “I just need to do one Pomodoro.”
When I was writing my final year project, the thought of sitting down for hours of research and writing paralysed me. But telling myself, “Just do one Pomodoro” lowered the barrier to starting. Often, once I completed one, I’d do another, then another. The technique gave me momentum.
The spiritual parallel: Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” The Pomodoro Technique helps us focus on the present task, the current 25 minutes, rather than being overwhelmed by the enormity of everything ahead.
9. Create Morning and Evening Routines
Your morning sets the tone for your day. Your evening determines the quality of your tomorrow. Routines remove decision fatigue and create consistency in the areas that matter most.
Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” There’s power in starting your day with God, in establishing a rhythm that centres you before the chaos begins.
A suggested morning routine:
- Wake up at a consistent time
- Spend time in prayer and Bible reading (even if it’s just 10 minutes)
- Review your goals or intentions for the day
- Move your body (a walk, some stretches, exercise)
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Review your schedule
A suggested evening routine:
- Reflect on the day (What went well? Where did you see God?)
- Prepare for tomorrow (Lay out clothes, pack your bag, review tomorrow’s schedule)
- Gratitude practice (Write down three things you’re thankful for)
- Disconnect from screens 30-60 minutes before bed
- Read or pray before sleep
The specifics matter less than the consistency. The routine becomes an anchor, a reliable pattern that carries you through changing circumstances.
My experience: I used to wake up, immediately check my phone, and start my day reactive and anxious. Now, my phone stays away from my bed. I wake up, make tea, spend time with God, and then plan my day. This simple shift has transformed my mornings from stressful to sacred. I’m no longer starting my day by responding to everyone else’s priorities—I’m starting with God’s.
10. Build in Margin and Rest
This last technique might be the most counter-cultural of all: intentionally leave space in your schedule. Don’t pack every hour. Build in margin for the unexpected, the spontaneous, the divine appointments God might bring your way.
In Mark 6:31, Jesus said to His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” This wasn’t optional. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s obedience. God designed you with limits, and working within those limits honours Him.
Practically, this means: Don’t schedule back-to-back commitments all day, every day. Leave buffer time between appointments. Schedule actual rest days where you do less, not more. Protect your sleep. Take breaks. Breathe.
Some of my most productive seasons have been when I’ve worked less but more intentionally. When I’m rested, I think more clearly. When I have margin, I’m available for God to interrupt my plans with something better. When I’m not constantly rushing, I can actually be present with people.
The productivity paradox: Rest makes you more productive. Margin creates capacity. Space allows for growth. This isn’t about being lazy—it’s about being sustainable. Hebrews 4:9-10 reminds us, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
Friend, you’re not a machine. You’re a human being created in God’s image, and part of that image is the capacity for rest, reflection, and relationship. Honour that.
Final Note
If you’ve read this far, you might be feeling inspired—or overwhelmed. You might be looking at these ten techniques thinking, “There’s no way I can do all of this.”
And you’re right. You don’t need to do all of this perfectly. This isn’t about adding more pressure to your already full life. It’s about discovering practical tools that can help you steward your time in ways that honour God and allow you to flourish in your calling.
Start small. Pick one technique that resonates with you. Try it for a week. See what happens. Maybe it’s starting your day with prayer. Maybe it’s learning to say no to one thing this week. Maybe it’s trying a single Pomodoro session. Small, consistent steps create lasting change.
Remember, God isn’t disappointed in you for feeling overwhelmed or disorganised. He’s not standing over you with a stopwatch, critiquing your productivity. He’s inviting you into a life of purpose, intention, and rest. He’s already given you everything you need to do what He’s called you to do—including the time.
You don’t have to be perfect at time management to be used by God. But being intentional with your time can create space for you to say yes to the things He’s actually calling you to, rather than constantly scrambling to keep up with everything else.
Take a breath. You’ve got this. More importantly, God’s got you.
What You Can Do Next
Reflect: Which of these ten techniques resonated most with you? What’s one area of your life where better time management could reduce stress and create space for what truly matters?
Take Action: Choose one technique from this list and commit to trying it for the next seven days. Just one. Write it down. Tell a friend. Make it specific.
Share: If this post encouraged you, share it with someone who might need to hear it. We’re all navigating the challenge of stewarding our time well, and sometimes we need to remind each other that we’re not alone in the struggle.