Margin.
Buffer.
Whatever you call it, it is crucial.
Artists use white space to focus your eye on what they want you to see. Margins on papers delineate starting and stopping points.
A buffer lessons the impact of something. And for our purposes buffer moderates the effects of an overburdened schedule. But to make it work for us, just like making over our schedules and budgeting our time, we have to be intentional about it. We must plan for it. Manage it. Guard it.
When I rush, rush, rush from task to task, I become easily frazzled. I lose track of things like my keys, my cell phone, and my wallet. I get snippy about the speed at which my people move. I become irritated with other drivers (if I’m being honest, this might happen no matter how much buffer I build in to my day). And I usually show up to the next big event wondering if I actually accomplished the last chore.
If you enjoy living this way, by all means carry on!
If you’d like to discover a better way keep reading.
Building a buffer between important events is the key to being truly present in every moment.
Building a buffer between important events is the key to being truly present in every moment. Click To Tweet
I hope you’ve been test driving your schedule for a week or two now, so you know the ins and outs. You’re accustomed to traffic patterns or how long the drop off and pick up lines at school take or found the optimal time to hit Starbucks drive-through. Once you’ve seen your schedule in action, you can start to tweak it to build in buffer. Precious moments between events that allows you to catch your breath, space for mid-day prayer, and time to refocus before tackling the next item on your to-do list.
Last year I learned to build in buffer a couple of ways. I discovered that if I planned to be on time for my Tuesday morning Bible Study, I would end up stuck in traffic with thousands of other people who also needed to be somewhere at 9. But if I planned to go earlier, I could have a few moments to my self before going in to the chapel. I found that my paranoia about not being home when the boys got off the bus in the afternoon, meant I was always home by 30 minutes earlier. Leaving early for commitments created, not only a more peaceful commute, but also a few blissful moments spent in silence after parking. Planning extra time between appointments, allowed for a few stolen seconds in solitude. Showing up early for yoga allowed me to sit on my mat and prepare to be fully present in class.
Now, I have a hard truth for you. And I know it’s hard because I didn’t want to hear it either.
You can’t count these moments as your buffer if you fill them checking your newsfeed or making a move in words with friends or pinning DIY projects you probably don’t have time for anyway.
Buffer only works when you spend it praying, mentally processing what you just left, or quietly preparing for what’s next. I admit, sometimes I even used those last precious moments before my boys burst through the door in the afternoon to close my eyes.
Buffer isn’t beneficial if it’s filled with busy work.
Buffer isn’t beneficial if it’s filled with busy work. Click To Tweet
Buffer is quiet time that allows you to recover from what happened before and focus on what is about to happen.
Living like a MASTERPIECE becomes a lot easier when you’ve built in buffer!
Download this week’s free printable (<- click to download) to help you brainstorm ways to build buffer into your schedule. I’d love to hear your ideas for building in buffer to battle your busy-ness! Share some of your suggestions in the comments below!
Be sure to check out the other posts in this living like a pro series:
10 Questions to Make Over Your Schedule
Living like a MASTERPIECE becomes a lot easier when you’ve built in buffer! Click To Tweet
For more encouragement please join the discussions on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Grace and Truth, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Word of God Speak, Testimony Tuesday.
Thanks Liz! Just what I needed to hear as teaching begins again!
Love! Love! Love! Especially “Buffer isn’t beneficial if it’s filled with busy work.” OUCH!
I know, girl! Me, too!
I love your word: “buffer.” Have you read Henry Cloud’s books on Boundaries? We’re studying Boundaries in the adult SS class in my church. So important to have a godly perspective on what’s my calling — and what isn’t!
I haven’t read it yet, but it keeps popping up lately, so perhaps it’s time!
Buffer/prayer zone…love it!….xo
Now, to put it into practice!! 😉 XO
Liz - BAM what a post. Love it. I know sometimes when I’m frazzled I run out of the house and get down the street and it’s like did I turn that off.
Thanks, Debbie! Me, too!!! All the time! I need that buffer, even if it’s only two or three breaths to refocus for the next task.
Great post, Liz! Thank you for sharing and such an eyeopener. Thank you!!! Surely, you were talking directly to ME! 😉
Ha! I was mainly talking to ME!! But I’m so glad it’s helping others be intentional about finding buffer in their schedules. XO
Such an important step! Those moments to schedule in buffer are few for me right now, but I’ve chosen to start taking my short school lunch time alone in my classroom, while the kids are scurrying down the hall and into the cafeteria. That may mean missing out on talking with some of the other teachers at lunchtime, but I can re-focus on God and get in a few moments of quiet while I eat. It’s definitely been worth it, and has helped me enjoy my afternoon classes even more. Love this concept!
Good for you!! XO
I love this! Between a full time paying job, blogging, social media and writing it’s so hard to find that margin/buffer! Just today I started a new Bible study and I intend on using my morning buffer for connecting with God on a deeper level. Thank you for your teaching!
You’ve got a lot on your plate, for sure, Kimberly! Blessings going your new study!
Oh yes!
In Beth Moore’s study, Believing God, she shared, “It the devil doesn’t destroy you, he will distract you. Check your schedule.” PROOF indeed.
And she asked, “Are you writing IN THE MARGINS of your calendars?”
UMMM, yea…
Yeah… And using sticky notes to add more !!
Thanks Liz for this timely post. What a great message as I start this school year. Since I’m the Queen of Multi-tasking, (not sure I should call attention to that) your post has given much to think about, and perhaps even tweak a few areas. Thanks my friend!
I hope it is a helpful practice for you, Mitzi! Blessings on your new school year! XO
I definitely need to make better use of my “buffer” time. I’m always engaging online or writing or working or…well you get my point.
Great post!
Not only do I get your point, I’m right there with you! But I can really notice a change for the better when I choose to buffer! Blessings!
Oh how we need buffer! I love this!
Buffer. Margin. Schedule. What are these things you speak of, hahaha?!? God has so shaken me up in these areas. They’re such a countercultural message in the land of Go! Achieve! Do more! It really makes me stop and consider my motivation at every step of the day. You give great bits of advice. Keep it up:)
Thanks, Meg! I think considering our motivation to do more is essential! Great advice!
Failure in this area is one of my biggest downfalls! Thanks for challenging me with something I always seem to need to hear!
Blessings!
I’m basically challenging myself, Donna! I’ve seen these ideas work in certain areas of my life, but as we start a new school year, I want to be intentional about applying them to my schedule as a whole! It is a process… one that can get a little MESSY from time to time! Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Liz, this is so good. I’m often running around late to everything, friend. What a great idea to plan to be at things early to leave yourself extra white space. I really need that in my life right now. I find the social media side of writing to be challenging. Now that I’m back to full-time ministry, I’m having to streamline that and just do what I can. Thanks for your wisdom here.
Oh, dear, Betsy! I think my use of social media is the worst violator of my buffet! I’ve got to find a way to smooth things out on that front!
Oh, how I needed this encouragement. It is so important to be purposeful, even with our “buffer” time. Thank you for reminding me!
Love this helpful post. Too often I don’t leave a buffer and end up racing from one thing to the next. Lately my timer has become a valuable tool to keeping me on track.
It works great when I’m disciplined enough to follow my own advice! Using a timer is exactly one of the ideas that came to me when I was brainstorming!