I was at the ever-popular bookstore browsing through books and stationery. Then I came across year planners, planners for 2024 to be exact. I used to buy these for my church staff every year in the past. The advent of schedulers in phones had superseded such a practice. Nevertheless, I took one up to look at the cost of the planner. There was no change to the price adjusted for inflation. Hmmm, seems like nothing had changed much.

No, much had changed. Many had moved on from paper to digital means. Events need only be entered once and it repeats automatically for you as per instructions Colour coding and tagging are easily done. Amendments do not leave unsightly marks behind. Space to record any data is literally unlimited. Not to mentioned that you can keep years of data without adding to the bulk. The ability to link to other information, like maps or pictures, is an invaluable feature. Furthermore, it can be synchronised to many different platforms and you can have your schedule with you all the time, information at the touch of your finger. How convenient!

Sadly, a good time management tool does not guarantee good time management. The willingness to update the calendar is an arduous task. When information comes in fast and furious through all kinds of platforms – emails, messaging apps, verbal invites or reminders – updating the calendar is not as easy as thought to be.

The next issue is looking up the schedule and follow them. That is another set of problem depending on the personality of the person. And you do have other factors like people not respecting your concept of time-keeping. Or, letting your time be taken away because of unnecessary messages, videos or podcasts. Yes, there are many things to consider for good time management.

Well, brothers and sisters in Christ, keeping your life well organised will need discipline. Consider the time that you have. It is not as much as you would like to think. Use it wisely to build relationship with God and people.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在一间永远闻名遐迩书局的书堆和文具中浏览。之后我来到年度计划本的面前，更准确地说是2024年度计划本。我过去都会买这些给我教会的同工。在电话里先进的规划程序已经取代了这一个做法。无论如何，我拿起一本年度计划本看一看价钱。在通货膨胀之下它的价格保持不变。看样子并没有很大的改变。

不是，这有很大的改变。很多人已经从纸张转换到电子工具。它只要一次的输入，它就会自动性的按着你的指令行事。颜色的标签和标示都不费吹灰之力完成。更改之后也不会留下任何的痕迹。数据记录的空间是无限量的。更不用说你储藏多年的数据也不会增加容量体积。链接功能如地图和图画更是有无价的功能。再者，它还可以跟你不同的平台同步化，而你只要在弹指之间就可以在任何时间内想要你的日程。这是何等方便啊！

悲哀的是，有时间管理的工具不能保证有好的时间管理。愿意更新日程是一项艰难的任务。当讯息—邮件，方程式的短信，口头的邀请或提醒从不同平台如潮水般快速地涌入，更新日程变成了不是我们想象中简单的事。

下一个问题是看日程以及跟着它走。这是另一种的问题，取决于个人的性格。你还有其他的因素如其他人不尊重你对时间的操守。或者，让你的时间在那些不必要的信息，视频和播客中白白逝去。是的，在做好时间管理上有许多事情需要考虑的。

在主里的弟兄姐妹，好好的守住和规划你的生命是需要纪律的。想一下你拥有的时间。这不如你所想象中的那样多。智慧的使用它与上帝和人建立关系。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong