Part 2: Why I need more time... and How to find it!

Dear Readers, 

We've all been there: that moment when we realize we simply do not have enough time in the day to accomplish all that we have written on our to-do list. If you are like me, you add the stuff you didn't complete to the bottom of tomorrow's list, only to realize that you will not have enough time then, either. 

What to do? What to do? 

​I'll tell you! 

There are many online sites that will claim to have the best time-management programs, easy to follow steps, and whimiscal approaches to self-improvement. But I can tell you this - unless it comes from you, it simply will not work. Sure, you might do better for a day or two, maybe a week. But then, something happens. You forget to do something. The task list gets longer once again, and the cycle has started once again. 

Now, I do come to you with some steps, but I can promise you this: you still have to make it work. You will have to commit to the changes and apply them. It comes from you. My steps are simply a 'guide' to getting you on track. Take a look. 

1. Prioritization!

• First, prioritize your task list. If you like color coding or simple 1... 2... 3... lists, which ever works for you - just get it done. The key to a successful task list is this: if it can be accomplished in two minutes or less, do NOT write it down. It is filler to make you feel like you are getting things done, but really, it's a procrastination tactic that tricks you! 

2. Time Lines! 

• Now that you have a prioritized list, consider how long it will take you to complete each item. Are there people depending on you for something to be done? Do your actions depend on someone else completing their part first? Time frames allow us to "put into perspective" our list. By putting time lines on our tasks, we can determine approximately how long our duties will last, and that allows us to better manage our complete day.

​3. No Excuses!

• We've become numbed to the lines "but..." or "I was going to, then..." These time suckers really take a toll on the task list. Our children are the kings and queens of these phrases and we seldom accept any excuse as a reason for not getting their tasks completed. So why are we excused from accountability with our own tasks? Recognizing that we, too, are responsible for things getting accomplished, we need to first identify those 'excuses' we use. 
  • ​It could be: Running to the store, visiting with a neighbor, checking the mail, taking an extra long break, taking a nap (my weak spot!), playing on facebook, surfing Pinterest, or other adult reasons to skip out on our responsibilities. No more!
    • There are exceptions because life happens. The best way to counter the excuses is to acknowledge the things that MIGHT prevent you from getting your task completed. For instance:
      • Task: Wash and Rinse Dishes    
      • Timeline: 25 minutes
      • Excuse: My daughter is at a friends and may need me to pick her up. (because my daughter is 4 years old, she obviously can't walk home, so I may be interrupted. This is really the only thing that might excuse me from getting my task done.)
      • Realistic: Yes
      • Reward: 10 minute coffee break 

​4. Reality Check! 

• Are your tasks and time frames realistic. If you know it takes you an hour complete a task, and you write in 15 minutes, you are lying to yourself. Don't do that. It will bring your mood down, and make you feel miserable. Also, don't hide time: If it takes you 20 minutes to do a task, and you write down 45 minutes, you are cheating yourself. That will hurt you in the long run because at the end of the day, you'll find there are things you could have done that you didn't because you cheated. Also, if your task takes more than one day to complete, does it need to be on your task list? 

​5. Reward System! 

• As parents, when our children do something well, we reward them. Not as bribery, but in recognition of a job well done. Why aren't parents allowed to be rewarded? Guess what? We ARE! We simply have to devise a reward system that is adult appropriate and that is not to elaborate. After all, we aren't scaling Mt. Everest - we' re completing a task... we are finding the time we lost. 
  • ​Some rewards might be: 
    • ​dinner out with the spouse
    • take out
    • catch a movie
    • redbox night
    • mani/pedi
    • nap
  • ​For the dads
    • ​guys night
    • game night
    • fishing 
    • hunting
    • buy that new tool you've been looking at
    • nap

​There are other less expensive rewards you can do as well. Because we all operate on different levels, each reward may differ, and that is O.K. Personally, I enjoy small rewards after each task, because if I wait for one big reward, I'm going to sleep through it! At the end of the day, I go to sleep feeling accomplished. I feel like I've taken on the toughest bad guy and won! I'm the super hero of my own life. Cheesy? Maybe. But I don't fight with my task lists any longer. I keep them in check and thus, found the time I had been losing. 

Feel free to download the documents I created to help keep track! 
You can download them here! 
​

Time Finder Packet

As always, I cherish my faithful readers and hope you continue to find my blogs useful. I love to hear from you so send me an e-mail... when you find the time! 

Until next time, 
​LaVonda