Be Creative with Your Time

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is ripe to do right." What does it mean to use time creatively?

Dr. King made exceptional use of time. As he planned speaking and peaceful protest activities, he was super creative. He knew America was ready for change. Dr. King made sure that his events had multiple outcomes. Those present, the nation, and the world witnessed events. Although emotions were high, he demanded peaceful protest. Planning included press invitations. The time was right for a change and for Americans to do right - stop segregation.

Consider your use of time. Are you in control of your time?

I have facilitated many time management workshops. Overwhelmingly, people tell me they have little control over their time.

I encourage you to consider the time that you do control. Then get creative.

First, identify your most important activities. Identify those activities that have priority and schedule them.

Next, think of ways to combine various objectives during the time. Multiple objective planning requires some creativity but will allow you to be proactive. Below are a few examples of applying multiple objectives at the same time.

Role: Leader

Planned/scheduled activity - walking throughout the organization

Objective – visibility in the organization

Objective - conversations with colleagues

Objective - identify opportunities or problems

Objective – get in a few steps (fitness)

Role: Active Person

Planned activity - physical fitness activity

Objective - improve fitness

Objective - participate in something for you

Objective - think about problems and opportunities

Objective - listen to an educational podcast

Objective - listen to an audiobook

Objective - time with family or friends

You can probably think of many more examples of this type of creative thinking, but be careful to avoid times where a high-level focus is most appropriate.

When you need high-level focus on what you are doing at the moment, multiple objectives might not be effective. For example, multitasking is a bad idea when having a conversation. Have you ever had a conversation with someone more interested in texting than you? Did you feel that the person was listening to you?

Take action today to control your time where multiple objectives can occur. Make your creative efforts fun, and watch your productivity improve. Time is way too short to waste. Effectively using time makes sense.

Martial arts perspective:

• At Delaware Hapkido Martial Arts Academy, we are creative with lesson plans. Our goals include teaching high moral character, self-discipline, self-identity, self-defense, and physical fitness. To achieve our goals, we must be creative.

• Martial arts forms consist of a sequence of self-defense movements. Practicing forms allows us to be creative in our training as we learn self-defense movements, fluidity, and harmony of motion during form training.

• Families can benefit from martial arts training. You get all the benefits of training in martial arts while spending time with your family.

Questions:

• Can you think of any people in your life who practice creative use of time? Why is their method of planning unique?

• How would you rate your ability to use time creatively? How could you improve your planning process?

• Describe when it would be best to focus on one objective.

• Now that you know the importance of using time creatively, how will you use the strategy?

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is ripe to do right." What does it mean to use time creatively? What did he mean by "the time is ripe to do right?"

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