We Americans pride ourselves in being busy. Sometimes in the church we have equated activity with godliness, resulting in full calendars and too often, empty souls. I have been far too guilty at times in my own life of this.
Now the opposite is not a good alternative; plenty of people in our land, and that includes believers, are stinking lazy, unmotivated, and unproductive. But there must be a place in between.
I am in the process of slowing down the travel cycle of my life. In the meantime I have a few busy spells to navigate. So, I seek to use wisely the time available to do the things that matter.
Remember some time management basics. First, we have time to do what is important. We may not have a lot of time otherwise, but we do have time for things that matter. In fact, I am carving out a chunk of time today just to spend in prayer because of some pressing matters I am facing.
Second, if you and I do not control our schedule, someone else will. God has a plan for your life. So does Satan. And other people. And you. You have enough time not controlled by bosses or parents or mean old professors to accomplish much.
Third, live by your priorities. I have tried to do that while maintaining a really hectic schedule. I love my family and am ruthlessly protective of our time (I threaten students not to call my house!). I love my students and value greatly times outside class with them. I also value the impact God allows me to have in other places where I speak and through the things I write.
So how does one keep priorities in line given that we cannot make more time? I confess I do not always do that well. But one way I do it is by using the time I have now wisely. I try to steal moments of significance whenever I can.
Example: in the next 2 weeks I am flying to 4 different places (not a schedule I like to have too often). Here they are in case you are near one and can come see me 
:
May 10 FBC Arnold MO, with colleague Bruce Ashford and pastors Kenny Qualls and Darrin Patrick at a Baptist 21 event.
May 12 FBC Woodstock, GA, at a breakfast for student pastors at 830 AM (come if you live nearby) and speaking to their students for my friend and former student Matt Lawson that evening.
May 16 FBC North Mobile, AL speaking in the AM and PM services for my buddy Ed LItton.
May 19-20 Chicago, IL speaking at the Moody Bible Institute’s Pastors Conference.
That means 8 flights, thus 8 trips of about 40 minutes to and from the airport. Rather than driving along and listening to vapid radio, I have a different man from my evangelism class taking me or picking me up each time. There is also a Church Planting event in Greenville, NC on May 13 with Acts29 and the BSCNC. I am taking a whole vanload of students that day.
That means I will have quality time with no less than 14-15 students without changing my schedule whatsoever. I am simply going to places where I would be heading anyway. I found a way to spend time with students, one of my top priorities, along the way.
I do not consider my self the greatest example in time management. But I do work very hard at matching my priorities with my calendar. Stealing opportunities like these helps me to fulfill my calling. Plus I really like hanging out with students .
Doc,
This is awesome. But I have found my time with my students has dropped off because I got so busy with “stuff”. It also killed my budget when I took a different job at the HS so I could be around students instead of working night shift and so as a result not as many free dinners on me…But now I have summers off and will be traveling to different camps to speak and I pray that students can come along. I am trying the same technique you are but I am yet a young grasshopper…lol!