Every Single Thing You Do

Sunday, February 26, 2012


Have you ever thought about all the things you do each day? I really mean every single little thing you do each day?
As I look over my notes from our weekend at the Women of Faith one day event,  one of the things that stands out to me the most are the words:



Are we even aware of every single thing we do?  I would bet that the majority of us are extremely naive about how we really spend our time.

You know that I'm a planner, and a I'm big on being intentional with the time we spend daily, but I have to admit that I'm pretty sure I've been too laid back lately about how the hours are slipping away each day.

So, today we headed outside. How could you not? It was a beautiful 75 degrees here in Oklahoma, and the sun and near perfect weather was more than a beckoning. It was a command.....come outside! Play!

So we did. And you know what? It mattered.

Just like it always does.

It all matters. Everything we watch, everything we listen to, everything we read.



I believe that there is more that each of us can do and be. How we spend our time and energy is what greatly effects what we do and who we become.

Do you really know how you're spending your time? Do I?


Today we were given a gift of time. A moment as a family with our kids. Our dear friends the Stewarts came over this afternoon to offer us an afternoon/evening with just our kiddos. They stayed here with the babies so we could spend the afternoon with just the four of us.


The weather was too beautiful to do anything except head outside. We made our way to a local park that backs up to a substantial amount of woods. We decided to stray from the park and go on an adventure. Oh, don't you wish you could go on an adventure?!


So, we went to the woods. You may remember how very, very much I love the woods. I spent two weeks there this Christmas break. We hiked through the woods following a trail made by deer. We even found a few deer tracks on the way.


And although many people may say that spending a couple hours in the woods is a waste of time, I would argue that time spent away in the woods is incredibly important. It's vital really.


The time we spend refreshing and renewing intentionally (and I don't mean in front of the TV) is vital to lowering our stress levels and creating happiness that goes deep into our souls.


It's a constant work in my life....to be more intentional with my time. Andy Andrews is the speaker who said those words:

Every single thing we do matters. 

He also said:

Change doesn't have to be a huge event. Change can be made through very small shifts in the way we spend our time. 


Do you know where this one is going? Are you scared yet? Yes, I'm going to ask you to be more intentional with your time. I've done it before. But possibly before we can be more intentional with our time, we need to know how we're spending our time.

Luke was collecting wood for a fire. (No, we did not make a fire, but he sure did collect some wood.) 
So what if we all did this......what if we all wrote down every single thing we did for an entire week. I'm serious. Every single thing. For an entire week. I know that sounds absolutely crazy, but I think we may all be a little shocked to see how we're spending our time.

Have you ever heard this:


It's true. How do we ever expect to get different results if we keep doing the same things over and over again. 

So, are you game? Do you know you need a change? Do you want to be more intentional with your time? Do you believe that every single thing you do matters?

It does! So let's see what it is that we're really doing. I've got a blank notebook that I am going to carry around for the next week to write down every single thing I do. What about you? Do you want to join me? I'll make it worth your while......what about this?  If you decide you want to see how you're spending your time, then join me for the next week by writing down every single thing you do for one week. 

Every day for the next week, I'll have a question for you regarding your time tracking. If you post a comment today and every day for seven days, your name will go into a drawing for $200 cash. Yep, cash. 

It won't be easy. It will be work. But it will be worth it. 


Do you believe that you can do more and be more, but you don't know where to start? Then start here.

Every single thing you do matters. 

Let's spend the next week finding out how we really spend our time. If you're up for the challenge and want the chance to win some cash, comment below. 

.....day 198 of a year of writing.....

20 comments:

  1. Sign me up! :D So glad your post came through, I was just on my way to bed to map out my week. This will be a neat expiriment to add.

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  2. I'm game...and scared :/
    But I know I can do better. Thanks for reminding me :)

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  3. Awww crap Allie... I'm in. I need the cash, but I need the truth of what this stinking challenge will reveal more than anything. Thank you for being you.

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  4. I'm in!! I spend too much time doing things that aren't important.. I think this will be an eye opener for some of us!!

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  5. Okay... Count me in! Like the other ladies, I'm a bit afraid of what I'll find, but I know it will help me be more intentional with my time as well. It will totally be worth it, thanks Allison! :)

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  6. Do you. Mean list showering cleaning or just after we leave the house

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  7. WOW!! What a challenge that I know I need. I am in as well because I want the change that is sure to come with the honest look.

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  8. I love challenges! It is good to know where our time is spent. I did this with my 4th graders one year for our autobiographies. They found they spent more time on the toliet than they did with God! It puts things in perspective!

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  9. I am up for the Challenge. I just read your post this morning, I will have to go back and write down everything I did this morning. :)

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  10. I am up for your challenge! I can't WAIT to see where this brings me! :) You, once again, are a huge inspiration to me! THANK YOU! I appreciate you, and am SO grateful for you! I am starting to write NOW! :)

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  11. I needed to hear this, its amazing how fast each day goes by... being intentional with my time is a challenge I need and I'm ready for!

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  12. One thing I have learned from selling Scentsy is I get more done than I ever thought I would! But I need to get better at time management! Whew! Here we go!

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  13. This IS a challenge! I'm game though! Here's to bringing the truth to light!

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  14. I am in! I was challenged by a dear friend last week to quit being complacent in my walk and I'm so thankful He sent her to show me what my truth was. Since then, I've made it a point to get in the Word in the morning and it has shown me how much time I waste in my day. The days when I say 'I didn't have time' to get in or pray. I am totally up for this challenge! I'm tired of being complacent in my every day with the ones and the ONE who means most to me.

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  15. I am up for the challenge. It's funny because before I read this post I was asking God what needed to change, what needed to be different.Then I read your post and I can feel myself being pulled into the challenge :) Thank you Allison for pulling me in...day after day!

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  16. Okay, I'll do it! I've been mentally tracking Everything in my head anyway, but not acting on any of it. This is just the kick in the pants I need!

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  17. I had actually been praying for the last week to have God send someone to help keep me accountable about being intentional with my time! Its so fun to see the different ways God answers prayers!! Lose or win Im in!! Thanks Allison for challenging us all!!

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  18. I'm in! I read this yesterday and started my list today and am already just wow about how much time I waste. Like most it is checking the computer!!

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