Time

blog

Posted by Connor on April 6th, 2007

For disappearing acts, it’s hard to beat what happens to the eight hours supposedly left after eight of sleep and eight of work. (Doug Larson, via Quoty)

What would your life be like if you didn’t have to sleep?

I enjoy productivity and efficiency. I dislike sloth and lethargy. Sometimes I wonder how much more I could accomplish if I didn’t have to sleep for 7.5 (ish) hours each day. There is so much to do in life, and so little time to do it!

I have several friends who squander their time playing video games, “hanging out”, or flipping channels on the boob tube. While I value the importance of entertainment and recreation, it must, like anything else, be practiced in moderation.

I find that the more I get involved, the more I serve, and the more I become informed and aware, the more valuable my time becomes, and the more I see importance of prioritizing to assure that that which is good isn’t taking the place of that which is better.

While I don’t follow any strict, regimented plan on time management and prioritization, I do feel it important to keep tabs on what one’s goals and priorities are, and then plan accordingly. Sometimes I just wish there were more time.

How do you manage your time effectively?

Did you enjoy this article? Read Latter-day Liberty!

***************

5 comments so far. Care to chime in?

Connor said:

Sometimes I wonder how much more I could accomplish if I didn’t have to sleep for 7.5 (ish) hours each day.

Have you heard of polyphasic sleep? Really interesting stuff. Basically you take 20-30 minute naps every four hours (six times every 24 hours). Instead of sleeping eight hours a day, you end up sleeping about three hours. Your body eventually adapts and learns to drop into REM sleep faster, leaving you just as rested (some people report feeling more rested). There are downsides, of course, but there’s probably no better way to add 35-40 hours to your week.

#1 Joey Day | April 6th, 2007 10:09 AM

Connor

I have studied to some degree, the mannerisms of W. Cleon Skousen and Bruce R. McConkie, and you may already know that these men kept massive amounts of personal journals and writings. I believe they both spent little time sleeping, and much time immersed in the scriptures. I also believe they started most of their days in 2-4 A.M. area of time. I personally have felt that there is something significant about 3 A.M. I know as I have grown older that my most productive time spiritually is when I first arise and start doing things.

It may sound strange, but I have always been fascinated by numbers, and one thing I found is that 3 is spelled three and ether is spelled using these same letters. I suppose there is absolutely nothing significant there, but I still believe things are possible without going into the realm of the forbidden. I believe we can all do quite well with 4-6 hours of sound REM sleep if we can get it.

#2 Michael L. McKee | April 6th, 2007 1:33 PM

i have a friend who needs about 2 hours of sleep and she can go the whole day.. no idea how that is.. if i had a genie I would wish to not have to sleep, have a photographic memory, and for a new ferarri :)

#3 Parker (brother #3) | April 6th, 2007 1:40 PM

I believe we can all do quite well with 4-6 hours of sound REM sleep if we can get it.

I used to be this way and got a chronic fatiguey thing. I highly recommend that people stick with the 7-8 hours recommended time. Be more wise than I have been, I would say! I wish I had taken better care of my body when I was in my 20s.

Or else, I could just say I envy those who can get away with little sleep. I find it a burden, actually, to sleep. Much rather be learning and doing. :)

#4 m&m | April 8th, 2007 12:39 AM

I recently addressed the subject of time in my company’s e-zine. “As I talk to students, it has often occurred to me that they would be so much better off, so much happier – so much more successful if they only made one change. That change involves understand the value of their time. Time is the one resource that every individual receives an equal allotment of every single day. EVERYONE gets exactly 24 hours…There is a saying, “Time is Money!” Businesses understand this because they have to purchase time…” To read more go to… http://janetwalgren.wordpress.com.

#5 Janet | April 18th, 2007 9:02 PM