Your calendar isn’t just a time management tool—it’s a discipleship tool. How you spend your time reveals what you truly value. If we want to follow Jesus faithfully, we need to steward our hours just as intentionally as we steward our finances or relationships.
Here are 10 practical ways to bring order to your schedule and purpose to your planning:
- Start with a Weekly Review
Before your week starts, take 30 minutes to look ahead. Don’t let your schedule happen to you—prayerfully plan what matters most.
- Use Time Blocking
Schedule your priorities or your distractions will schedule themselves. Reserve blocks of time for what God’s called you to do and guard them like a gatekeeper.
- Set Calendar Boundaries
Define your working hours, protect your family time, and preserve your soul. If everything is “open,” burnout is inevitable.
- Color Code Your Calendar
Assign colors to categories like family, ministry, meetings, and rest. A glance should tell you whether your life is aligned with your calling.
- Declutter Ruthlessly
Every recurring meeting isn’t sacred. Cancel what doesn’t help, say no to what doesn’t align, and create space for what God has called you to do.
- Add Buffer Time Between Events
Give yourself margin. Those 10-minute windows between meetings may be what saves your sanity and your soul.
- Set Default Durations
Change your default meeting length to 25 or 50 minutes. Respecting others’ time is a form of loving your neighbor.
- Use Reminders Strategically
A well-placed reminder can reduce stress and keep you focused. Set them ahead of the moment so you lead your day instead of chasing it.
- Integrate Tasks with Your Calendar
Stop hoping you’ll “find time” for your to-do list. Sync your tasks into your calendar so you actually budget your time to match your priorities.
- Review and Reflect Monthly
Look back before you move forward. Ask yourself: Did I spend my time on what matters? What needs to shift next month to better reflect God’s call on my life?
Your calendar is a map. Make sure it’s taking you somewhere that matters.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
