Master Time Management

Now that I am settling into a new routine….here is my status on my plan:

As far as balance in my life for my priority areas:

Faith: I slacked off on the rosary, but have recently joined a Bible Study group to study Salvation History with Jeff Cavin’s program. Thus, I need to study 1/2 hr each night and be prepared for my weekly meetings. I also need to jump start my rosary, as it creates a fixed prayer time for me daily even when it is hard to pray.

Family: We had a fun fall in spite of moving! We managed to fit in a few activities to celebrate the season that were very low budget. As Advent approaches, we need to focus on family prayer. I am putting together a special prayer table during Advent to remind us to do this. We also need to plan some special Holiday traditions. My son is now doing Boy Scouts, so between that and Church and school projects, he is getting a great deal of quality time with me lately. Dog still needs more walks, and hubby needs more dates.

Finances: We worked on this today. Need to create the new budget ASAP as holiday season is coming!

Health: I had been doing well with vitamins…then I slacked off…then I got a cold. Go figure! Pretty good up until getting sick, but I need lots more exercise and fresh air. Even walking the dog would help. The weather here has been miserable up until today, so that is part of the challenge. I need to set some goals in this area for myself!

Social Contributions: Slacking on the tithing as we are readjusting the entire budget. I don’t feel like I am giving much to society outside of my family right now…we’re a bit in survival mode as we adjust to new schedules and routines. As the holidays approach, there should be some opportunities to volunteer or donate, and I need to make that a priority.

Vocation/Education/Personal Goals: Neglected neglected neglected. I have not touched the piano since I moved in, and it seems all I do lately is clean or unpack boxes when I am home. I need to carve in some time for me. Christmas music just might do it!!

My last entry under this goal was exactly one year ago, and it’s horrific looking back at how hard I was struggling under the stress. Not only have I not failed a single assessment in University, my average grade is distinction-high distinction. I’m still finding the exams extremely hard though, and need to spend some more time getting my preparative study skills down.

Therefore, this goal is not complete for me. But I am making strides of progress, and encourage everyone to keep working towards making good time management a key aspect of their lives! :)

I have gotten so much better at handling my time. And others have noticed my progress. I dont gripe anymore about never having the time to do what I want. Now that I dont spend precious minutes staring into space, Thinking About Milk, and now that I’ve really recognized my reasons for doing that in the first place, haha I feel more fulfilled, my days are relaxed, but still productive, and i hardly ever feel rushed anymore. Its definitely a nice change. : )

I got a Palm OS Centro Phone for Mother’s Day. It is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

So far I have a water tracker downloaded, shopping list maker, web access with 43 things and email downloaded among other things, and a nice google style utility tool.

Does anyone have any suggestions for good software for organization or chores?

I found a great online tool that works for GTD and just general to do list making…. www.rememberthemilk.com

I am hooked, not to mention it works on my web phone too! I used it to start scheduling my laundry days, and to put reoccurring reminders I often neglect, like getting my hair cut, making dentist appointments and such on there. Very very cool!

Need to get back on this goal. Getting sick has really spoiled me with time in front of the computer.

Time wasters:

1. Reading blogs, blogging, web surfing, and emails….this is a hard one since this is where I get most of my news. I need to sit with a timer next to me I have decided and limit to 15 minute breaks in between other activities when I am cleaning or cooking, or set it as a reward when I have other important activities completed.

2. TV….not often, but I have been hooked on American Idol lately, and I could at least be multitasking during it. Use of computer during TV does NOT count.

3. Phone. I’ve been better at this one, although if a relative calls, it is usually a good 45 minutes shot easily, given we don’t live close.

4. Shopping. This one not so much, lol…now that I’ve discovered online shopping is quicker and I can do it in my pajamas. Nevertheless, that relates it back to the computer…so I need a good timer.

I must say I’ve completed this goal at work….the amount of productivity is astonishing! Now I need to work on mastering this one at home and managing my down time more effectively.

That’s for sure!!!

I have identified 3 areas in my life where I am wasting time especially….that is, most of the time when I am NOT at work!

I need to work on drafting my existing morning and evening routines and seeing where I might be able to modify them a bit to include just a few more steps. Things like laying out clothes the night before, packing lunches the night before, pulling meat and dinner ingredients out and having them ready to go in the morning the night before…

I also need to laminate my monthly and weekly chore checklists and hang them somewhere visible or on the inside of a cupboard. Otherwise I just get too random!

My time management at work is going exceptionally well! I have been using GTD ideas for my filing system for my projects, and being able to put notes in the files has helped me where I left off, as well as follow projects through to completion easier.

As far as balance in my life for my priority areas:

Faith: I have been doing well having successfully created the new habit of praying the rosary daily.

Family: I went on a date recently, and have been reading with my son again more. The dog is still a bit neglected but I have started a new goal for her. It will also help to put a plan in place for our Spring and Summer to insure we make it fun and memorable. I have been doing a bit better with meal preparing, but it comes in bursts and I don’t like it. I have identified that preplanning and preparation is key to this being successful.

Finances: Horrible in balancing checkbook, but we are getting debt paid off.. my car was paid off recently, and now we are plowing through my husband’s car loan. Need to shift money in accounts to make things more manageable.

Health: Vitamins, hit and miss. Quality food has been better. I am now getting some exercise from my physical therapy which is helping me, and for the most part I have been healthy this year so far.

Social Contributions: We’ve been doing a good job keeping up with tithing. I recently quit my volunteer position due to being overtired from work….it was just too big of a commitment after a full 9 hr day of work. We are still trying to eat organic and use organic household and yard products.

Vocation/Education/Personal Goals: My piano playing has slacked off, but I have been doing a good job with my reading. I need to pay a little more attention to carving out a hobby time for me to achieve my personal goals.

Another productive work week. I think the things that helped me stem from the GTD….last weekend when I was still thinking about work I emailed myself those thoughts and to do list. On Monday, when I came in, that was waiting for me, and I launched in immediately to the tasks instead of the normal Monday slump.

The results of my work as completed Friday are going on to do amazing things. I am so excited about it. The top boss where I work was even notified, and the final product in the end has the chance to impact public safety in an enormous way as I hand the baton off to others now to take action. I work hard, but it is most rewarding to see the work really make a difference.