Time Management

I once had a friend who only scheduled one "item" per day. When she first told me that, I thought she was joking. At the time, I was ridiculously busy, packing as many things back to back in a day that I could manage. I got a lot done, too.

But now that I'm at a different point in my life, I really wish I could schedule one thing per day.

I've bought wonderful books on the topic of time management. I've read great magazine and blog articles on the topic. And I've tried many different concepts throughout my *time*.

But really ... regardless of what system you use to manage your time ... just don't be late.

I'm a believer that if you are chronically late - you are telling people that you don't value THEIR time as much as you value your own. Show up early. If you are super busy, take "work" with you, that you can complete when you show up early and have a few minutes to wait. Or always carry a book with you, and use that "early" time to treat yourself to your favorite author.

Just ... don't be late for people and appointments and events ... it's rude and selfish.

Work Expands to fill Time Available

According to the always insightful Wikipedia:

Parkinson's Law is the adage first articulated by Cyril Northcote Parkinson as the first sentence of a humorous essay published in The Economist in 1955:

“ Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. ”


It was later reprinted together with other essays in the book Parkinson's Law: The Pursuit of Progress (London, John Murray, 1958). He derived the dictum from his extensive experience in the British Civil Service.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_Law

.........

So, think about it. Have you ever had a task or a chore and you knew you had four hours to accomplish it, and so, it took the entire four hours (or more)? And, on the opposite side, have you ever had a task and you knew you only had 30 minutes to accomplish it; so, you hustled your bum and barely got it done it time?

I believe it is true!!

Often times when I feel overwhelmed by my to-do list, I will set the timer on the stove for 30 minutes, and I will attack the first item on my list. Then, when the timer goes off - - whether I've accomplished the current item or not - - I will move on to the next time on my list and reset the timer. And so on. When I do this, I accomplish so MUCH more in my day than when I casually move from one item to the next on my list. And, even if I don't finish each item on the list, I know that I made a huge dent in it during those thirty minutes.


What time management tricks help you during a  busy day or week?

Weekly Writing Motivation

It's not that I'm lacking motivation ... My problem this summer is I'm lacking available hours in the day.

So, if any of you know a great website that teaches how to find more hours in the day - - - let me know.

Until then, here's what I'm doing:

1. Reading TIME MANAGEMENT FROM THE INSIDE OUT by Morgenstern (but, I've had trouble finding time to read it, bwhahahaha).

2. Reorganizing my priorities. This summer I've given the majority of every waking minute to my children and their activities. I love them, and I love spending time with them, but this summer it has been to the detriment of all my other obligations, goals, and priorities. Therefore, I am reconsidering my list (which is easier knowing school is just around the corner).

3. Participating in my gal-pal's Weekly Writing Motivation. :)

Melissa Dean has come up with a great idea. Check out the details here:
http://community.writersdigest.com/group/weekly-writing-motivation

When and how do you find time to write?