Time is precious, and — let’s be honest — most of us would like to do more things than a full day allows.
So we have to make choices: Should I read a book or watch TV before bed? Should I relax at home or visit a friend on Saturday?
On the one hand, you should plan your day rather than let it slip by. On the other, you shouldn’t overplan it and leave no room for spontaneity.
Here are some tips for planning a fruitful day. Note: They don’t fully apply to everyone, as each person’s interests and temperament play a role in the decision-making process.
Start with what’s most important.
Often, your vocation reveals your priorities. If you’re married, your chief focus should be on your family members. Coming second is the work you do to support them (either by earning money or homemaking). If you're a parish priest, your parishioners’ spiritual welfare comes first.
Of course, all vocations should prioritize prayer, although not in the same way. A busy mother of six needs to pray each day, but obviously can’t spend as much time on that as a hermit. In fact, some saints chide laypeople for trying to act too much like religious, to the detriment of the daily work God calls them to do.
In general, it’s better to focus on people rather than tasks.
God made us to live in communion with other people, reflecting how He Himself is a communion of Persons.
We’re here to love and serve God and neighbor. Everything else is secondary. We should plan our days with this in mind. If you thrive by completing daily to-do lists, you could intentionally maintain some flexibility in case someone needs your presence, even if it’s just for a few minutes.