I ran across this article today from wisegeek.com (reference: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-find-more-time-for-the-things-i-love-to-do.htm) titled, "How Can I Find More Time for Things I Love to Do?"
I ask myself this question on a daily, perhaps hourly, basis. How can I find more time? I feel as if I am always racing against the clock to finish everything I need done in a day's time. Whether it be at work, at home, for school, or for anything and everything else that I endure on a regular basis.
Althought I haven't yet mastered this finding more time for "me" thing, I have managed to find a few things that have helped me cope with my hectic rush of a life.
#1: Make a schedule and stick to it.
By far the most important, which is why it is number one. I cannot stand to be unorganized. Not that I am 100% organized, by any means. I would settle for "organized mess" at the least. Anyhow, scheduling has become a very important key point in maintaining all of my craziness without losing my sanity. At work, I make a schedule every morning of tasks to be completed that day and mark them off as I go. At home, I schedule any appointments or events of importance on Friday, seeing as that is my only weekday off from work. This tactic is not perfect, by any means, but hey, it works for me.
#2: Filter out the insignificance.
Do I really need to do this? I find myself asking this question quite often. Does this laundry really need done today? Should I go grocery shopping or spend my time factoring polynomials? (yes, I am taking College Algebra this semester) It's difficult, but I've learned that occasionally you have to put aside all of that have to's and focus on a want to for just a minute in order to feel refreshed and revive your motivation to take on the ever-growing list of have to's.
#3: Ask for help. (if applicable)
Although this step may not apply to everyone, it works for me. If I simply can't find time in my day to complete an important task, or if I just can't muster up the energy to run any longer, I ask for help. DH (dear husband) is very helpful with things like grocery shopping, taking care of the baby, and helping around the house. At work, I have several co-workers that I can ask for help at any given time, and they'll do it.
#4: Put that multi-tasking skill to work!
It's human nature -- we can all multi-task. Some better than others, of course. It's doable though. I'm always looking for ways to incorporate more than one task in at one time. For example, put laundry in washing machine, vaccuum while laundry washes, transfer laundry to dryer, do dishes while laundry dries, fold laundry while tidying bedroom, put laundry away. It's not as hard as it sounds, promise.
Even though I may seem to have this all figured out, please don't be fooled. I'm a crazy mess while making a schedule and sticking to it. Consider this your warning.
This is an example of home after toddler. Looks very familiar for some reason. Hmm.
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"but I've learned that occasionally you have to put aside all of that have to's and focus on a want to for just a minute in order to feel refreshed and revive your motivation to take on the ever-growing list of have to's. "
ReplyDeleteAs a single, working mother of toddler going through divorce ... this is my MANTRA. It is my mentality to how I survive.
Totally understandable! It's tough -- but you have to make time for YOU! Thanks for the comment!
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