In this age that tempts us to stay connected, it's easy to get pulled in so many directions. We're often so busy that there is never a moment to stop and recalculate where we spend our time.
You love to study. You love to read. You love to get involved. But are you strategic with your time? What if you could marry those things and make them work together? What if you could prune the areas where you go to work? But also grow more meaningful fruit in the places that mean the most to you?
Well, let me share a concept that I have learned with you.
Many years ago, I completed a bible study called ‘A Woman after God’s own Heart’ by Elizabeth George. In that study, she introduced a concept of Five Fat Files. She asks you to consider where you'd like to get wisdom? What would you like to be known for?
Pick five areas or categories and create files for each one. Then gobble up everything you can in those topics and store your notes in the files that you created. (Like relevant scriptures, quotes, nuggets you've gleaned from reading, attending classes, or serving.) You don't have to store everything in a file but it can help you keep more of what you're learning if you do.
If goal setting provides a lane for you to travel in, then picking your categories is also like putting a bumper pad or guard rail on either side. You might even pick the category before the specific goal.
The most powerful part of this exercise is that it helps you weed out things in advance. By helping you decide to say no to future invites if it doesn't fall within those lines.
So how do you pick?
Well, I'd like to borrow a line from a poet named Rumi "A thousand half-loves must be forsaken to take one whole heart home."
That's pretty thought-provoking, right? We're interested in so many things! But what things do you value most in life or want to learn more about? What 'half-loves', social events, or 'mere interests' can you give up to get more in the significant places?
Then pray about it and meditate on those things. Where can you focus your time, energy, and commitments?
You may pick more or less files. You might even need to change it up after you've started. Not only is that okay, it's a start! It's also a good practice to check in annually and revisit this process. Are those things still your target?
The Bible says "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." Proverbs 14:15
Don't be so busy that you can't give any thought to where you're going!
As for me, these are my files:
- Prayer - This was one of the first areas that I picked when I learned this concept. I read a few books on learning how to pray. Then challenged myself to pray out loud. Then later added praying scripture and other components. Prayer is the most powerful and personal exchange in our lives. There are still some things here that I'd like to explore. (Like, praying The Armor of God, Fasting, the discipline of Sacred Pauses, or Secrets to Prayer.) So, it's back on my list.
- Family – This one might be a two-fer but I am not sure how to split it up. I am interested in anything that helps us improve our relationships with others. -Especially, when it comes to family! I'd also like to expand the way that I spend time in the Word at home. This may overlap or even morph into some form of children's ministry, since I do see other children in this plan. I also want to make sure that after God, my family, gets the best of me, not what's left over.
- Writing – I have a thing with words and I can use this anywhere that I am. For work, church, family, etc… I’d like to refine it. Improve it. Change it. Challenge myself here.
- Discipline – All that I can say about this category is that I have unplugged a lot of roots but it's time to plug back in. I'd like to learn some new ways to do things. The things I have noted in my other files, also fall back on discipline, but this takes a lot of work! If we don't allow enough time, sometimes, it keeps getting bumped. -And well, I want to be sure that 'discipline' has its own parking spot. It will help me in those other areas!
- Gloucester Resource Council – Like you, I struggle with where to serve because I want to serve everywhere! But the resource council is an amazing resource. This organization helps me in many areas. Thru work I can network with non-profits and agencies in the community. Learning about the needs that this team meets, can help me in church, or in my own service to my neighbor. Plus, many of the things that I need to do for them, can be done through writing or other resources that I already have. So, if I volunteer on something, this will one of the places that I check in with first.
In many ways, this might seem like a lot but much of it also overlaps. It took me a few tries to make the overlapping happen and I trust that you will also find your groove. Then before committing to new things, look for ways to marry your efforts and get more bang for your buck!
If you're still stuck, here are a few things that you can ask yourself.
1. What is the wisest thing that I can focus on now?
2. What feels the most like me and lines up with my values?
3. What would get in the way of my progress in these areas? (Then see if you can cut something revealed.)
4. Don't forget to talk to (and ask) your spouse. Sometimes their input or answers to these same questions may surprise you.
And finally, try not to get discouraged. Even if you don't see progress in all five areas, this exercise can reduce a lot of distractions. It might even plant a lot of seeds! Tweak it if you need to and then press on. :)
I love to connect, so let me know what 'files' you have selected and how this has worked for you. If you have any questions, holla. If you need more examples, you might like this post.
Until then,
Be blessed!
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"Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;
hurry and scurry puts you farther behind." Proverbs 21:5
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