Monday, January 25, 2010

Rat on a Wheel


Should probably make that a hamster but I feel like a rat. Running full speed, going nowhere fast. Had two separate conversations today about how desperately I/she/she need(s) to get some kind of master life plan going. I am capable of doing a lot at once and can take on hard things, but am currently feeling pretty powerless at tackling the big picture simultaneously. Realized today that this really is the story of life: begin, wane, regroup. Begin, wane, regroup. Over and over again. However in my case it usually goes something like: begin, wane, quit for a year, take a month or three to regroup. I know none of this makes sense but I am really curious how most people organize their tasks, schedules and goals and stick to them. Lists, calendars, planner, Fly lady? All of the above?

For example, I have a friend who makes a huge color coded three month calendar and puts everything on there. Is it rising before the sun? Is that the secret? Do you have a planning meeting with yourself every week? If you have to manage say these following areas: activities, appointments, general to do's, house projects, house cleaning, personal goals (physical, spiritual, etc.) church duties, kids with their activities/chores/music, how do you literally keep track of it? I know I can do it..I'm just at a loss for a system. Something to see and remind me, and a way to best organize my time while still feeling like I'm not a slave to the list. Make any sense?

I was just telling Nick that I used to love doing my blog when it was my goal to write something every day. Now that I have NO rules it's never prioritized and therefore--rarely tended to. It's not nearly fun like it used to be. I lack order and I need it. Hey you out there. Tell me what to do. Maybe my sisters don't need to give me too much advice I've seen how your systems work. Not really....you girls are domestic goddesses!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Selective Neglect. It really works. I make long lists and then forget them. When I go back to them eventually, there are many things I can check off. When I had kids at home the only list I made was the "extra chores for $$" list which didn't get looked at too often. No real advice from your Utah Auntie. My family turned out great. They still speak to me; and yes, I still make that "list", which I think I will look at tomorrow or the next day. You are great. Be kind to yourself. Love, Aunt Nancy

VEGAS VIC said...

Call me if you would like me to explain my method to you.
hahahahaha

Anonymous said...

How do I do this? I'm an idiot! I can only text and change diapers! That's it. Those are my only two skills at the moment. But I do have a darling planner book thingy that u might like. If I can figure out how to post this stupid comment I'll tell u what it is! :-D
michele

Anonymous said...

It worked! WooHoo! I'm not an idiot! Somewhere deep down on some level I knew I could do it! :-D Maybe I'll try to post a comment on facebook now. Who knows! The skys the limit! Ok, so the planner is called the Laurel Denise calendar/planner. It's so pretty! And it's only about $20. I love new notebooks, and calandars& pretty planners. Each time I get a new one I stay perfectly organized JBKO style for at least a few weeks! :-D Anyway, just thought u might dig the planner. Google it& several places to purchase it will come up& u can check it out. She has a great blog also.
michele

Anonymous said...

Hey, also, if u get a chance, will u text Karim that energy thing u blogged about b4. I'm n dire need of some energy. Thanks!
michele

Suzanne said...

I am definately not in a spot to be an expert giving advice, however I will share with you what works for me.

In our home, we have a GINORMOUS calendar that is a dry erase. Everyone can look at it on their way out. At the beginning of every month, I sit down and start with family priorities such as birthday parties, activities, things we do as a family all together. Next I write in our church obligations, responsibilities and meetings. Then I fill in appointments for myself, my husband and my daughter. There are certain days that are designated for certain things and those times are rarely changed. For example, Friday mornings are when I clean the house. Every Friday morning is blocked out to do so. If I have a more important obligation that I have to do on Friday morning, then I will plan on cleaning Thursday night or Saturday morning. Which ever fits in best.

We as a family have decided that it is more important to spend time together rather than be running around with extra activities every night of the week. Hence right now, I do not have Shae signed up for gymnastics, dance and cheer for all nights of the week, she prefers to be home and have play dates and make her own adventures. I know that others see it differently and that is fine, I just prefer to keep a simple life. At that goes for Brian and I also, we turn down a lot of Extra activities too!

At night, my time starts at 8:00 pm. I am here to help, but Brian is in charge. This is my time that I can dink around on my blog, wash my face, write in my journal, read scriptures, pray, etc. etc. Brian is cool with this because Shae's bed time is at 8:30. How do I get her to bed so early. Easy, we wake her at 6:00, (well now she wakes us at 6:00am) for family scripture study. I have found if I get her up early, she goes to bed early. SCORE!!

When Shae is at school, I go to work in the mornings and then I work out after work. I have to say to myself, that if I do not do this now, it won't happen later in the day. After my workout, I run around doing the errands I need to complete for the day before Shae gets home. Usually at the beginning of the week, I ask myself what needs to get done and then I will try and spread out the errands based upon the business of the day or based upon where I am driving for other obligations. If I set a goal to accomplish a certain thing like clean the playroom, then I pick a day that the time works and I stick to it until it is done.

I read whenever I am sitting down. I read at home (tv is not preferred), I read at the car dealership, and I read at night. Stopping the tv watching was like giving my life 6 more hours. It has been a blessing.

OK- the sharing has been long enough. I hope you do not read this as my life works perfectly because at times it does not. But this is the rythem that works for me and it is a pattern that my brain and my body like. So, I go with it. Hopefully, some of my words may have inspired you for a rythem that will work for you! I think the key thing is Prioritize, Simplify and Assign the time.

Good Luck and have a wonderful day! -Suzanne

Mitch said...

I got nothing for you. Try to use your phone more. That's what i do. Find a good reminder app that will constantly remind you of your goals with an alarm or alert of some sort. It helps me a lot. Or just write your goals everywhere you'll see them. Mirror, fridge, phone, or anywhere else you might run into them. I need to be constantly bombarded by my goals in order for me to actually meet them. I don't know.

jill said...

I REALLY think that Suzanne and Mitch are onto something!!! Suzanne, you're the bomb!! That's a simple system (I need and LOVE simple)Thanks a lot for taking the time to write out what you do, that gives me hope, maybe I'll try what you do but just adapt it to my own needs. Mitchy I've been thinking forever that I need places around the house that I can see my goals and encouraging thoughts/quotes.

Tiff said...

My method to life: try one method, give up on method, run around like crazy most of the time, break down every once and a while and cry and feel like a failure, and then get over it and start the process all over again. I tell you this not because it's a good method, but just to make you feel better! Good Luck!

Jayne Layne said...

No clue what to tell you! I too like Mitch and Suzanne's comment. I only wish my life flowed like Suzannes. I CRAVE a schedule, and I crave to keep goals, but I am so incredibly unmotivated lately that it is sick. I unforuntately still blame the sister blog challenge, but that has to come to an end sometime. I am in serious need of something more than what I am doing.

Up in Bubbles said...

You have an iPhone, use it! I look at my calendar everyday and it is very helpful. It takes the same amount of time to put a calendar entry in than it does to send someone a text.

Mitch is right with the reminders...You can set up the calendar to notify you any where from 15 minutes to 2 days before the event occurs.

On the mish we had weekly and daily planning sessions and for some people that is the only way they got through their day. You may be one of those people. Make a list of the priorities of the day and check them off as they are done. Time management...is key and it takes 10 minutes to run through the day and make a list. Your iPhone most likely has an app for daily tasks and if you use it can be your best friend.

I for one have seen your house and even though it works for Suzanne I just cannot see you putting a dry erase board any where that the masses of the house can see it. If it doesn't match the curtains or have toile draping from it it probably is a lost cause.

Learn the iPhone and USE it! It is decorated with a nice zebra print so you will not be ashamed to pull it out in mixed company. If there was a website for ratemyiphone you would do fine...

not a sermon, just a thought....

seacrest out!

JENNIFRO said...

Thanks peeps. I literally took a little advice from you all and am totally inspired and nearly all planned out tonight. I feel much better having tackled that! You're all great! THANKS!

Jek said...

Don't you love how i inspired you with my binders? The good thing about me is ideas. The ideas sound superb, but executing any ideas well, that is a different story. Good luck sis, may we try this together, and as fly lady says FLY. (Finally love yourself). hug yourself, slap your own butt, high five your other hand, kiss the mirror. Go for it girl.. THink about richard simmons and his energy, go for it!