I've been feeling so behind on so many things recently. And when I get overwhelmed, I tend to go to one of two extremes: crazy "get it all done NOW" girl or unproductive, procrastinator girl.
Lately, I've chosen to avoid responsibility. Certain items on my to-do list have been rolled over day to day, week to week...it was getting out of hand. But I'm done now. My to-do list will not go away if I ignore it. In fact, it will continue to grow like a weed. Or a rash. Or the unwanted hair in that odd place that you won't tell anyone about.
Every day, I have a list of things that I want to get done. The list is new each day, crossed off items stay on yesterday's list, incomplete items are rolled over to today. The list could have 4 things or 14 things, but anything that I hope to accomplish goes on the list.
From that main list, I chose 2-3 "most important tasks," or MITs. Those are my top priority. Some days it's bigger stuff like getting the oil changed, other days the items are simple, like putting away laundry or clipping the kids' fingernails or taking a shower.
Lately, I've chosen to avoid responsibility. Certain items on my to-do list have been rolled over day to day, week to week...it was getting out of hand. But I'm done now. My to-do list will not go away if I ignore it. In fact, it will continue to grow like a weed. Or a rash. Or the unwanted hair in that odd place that you won't tell anyone about.
Every day, I have a list of things that I want to get done. The list is new each day, crossed off items stay on yesterday's list, incomplete items are rolled over to today. The list could have 4 things or 14 things, but anything that I hope to accomplish goes on the list.
From that main list, I chose 2-3 "most important tasks," or MITs. Those are my top priority. Some days it's bigger stuff like getting the oil changed, other days the items are simple, like putting away laundry or clipping the kids' fingernails or taking a shower.
For some reason, I have gotten myself into the horrible habit of procrastinating this regular habit of personal hygiene. It should not be this difficult to fit in a daily shower! I have a confession to make: I just showered for the first time since Monday. Today is Thursday. How did this happen? Yesterday, showering stayed at the bottom of the list as everything else got done ahead of it. Why? Probably because I knew I wasn't leaving the house and there was so much other stuff to do.
I could write a whole post about showering, but the purpose of this post is to encourage you to plan your day tomorrow before going to bed tonight.
Every time I take a few minutes at night to plan for the following day, I end up checking most everything off my list. I pull coupons for errands I need to run, grab receipts for returns, look up contact information and account numbers for calls I need to make, I do as much the night before as I can, so I have no excuses to put anything off.
I feel prepared. Maybe even mentally psyched up for chores that I normally dread. (ahem...cleaning the bathrooms) There are also times when, instead of adding something to tomorrow's list, I think, "I can just send this email really quick...that way there will be one less thing to do tomorrow."
But when I plan the day-of, my chances of productivity decrease substantially. Maybe it's just me...? This week, I've finally gotten my act together and pre-planned each day the night before. My to do list has been shrinking at lightening speed. I feel like I can breathe again.
So give it a try tonight. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes to write out 3-5 things that you'd like to do tomorrow. I hope it works for you as well as it's worked for me this week!!!
I could write a whole post about showering, but the purpose of this post is to encourage you to plan your day tomorrow before going to bed tonight.
Every time I take a few minutes at night to plan for the following day, I end up checking most everything off my list. I pull coupons for errands I need to run, grab receipts for returns, look up contact information and account numbers for calls I need to make, I do as much the night before as I can, so I have no excuses to put anything off.
I feel prepared. Maybe even mentally psyched up for chores that I normally dread. (ahem...cleaning the bathrooms) There are also times when, instead of adding something to tomorrow's list, I think, "I can just send this email really quick...that way there will be one less thing to do tomorrow."
But when I plan the day-of, my chances of productivity decrease substantially. Maybe it's just me...? This week, I've finally gotten my act together and pre-planned each day the night before. My to do list has been shrinking at lightening speed. I feel like I can breathe again.
So give it a try tonight. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes to write out 3-5 things that you'd like to do tomorrow. I hope it works for you as well as it's worked for me this week!!!
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5 comments:
I love the post, I rarely have time to read a post, I just quickly scam around blogland, But I am so happy I did, I have the same issue with the shower somedays.:) But because of my husband , I cant get away with more than 2 days. Having 4 kids, working at home can really make life too crazy for a shower.. :)
I guess you are lucky you can get away with that... I would have some seriously hairy legs and stinky feet at that point...I don't think Joel would let me share his bed!
Here's my time-management tip: shower first, worry about everything else later
I tend to be a bit of the same - an "all or nothing" girl when there is a lot on my plate... more often a "I want to hibernate and do nothing unless it is essential for survial" girl.
So to get out of the "nothing" funk at times (cause I can't afford to waste more than a day a week like that), I've figured out that if I can focus on doing the 1, 2, or 3 things that will make me feel better about the day, then my momentum will carry over to the next day, and the next, etc.
I love lists! They help me stay focused. Sort of. Sometimes I distract myself by making lists. But all in all, they are helpful!
I have found myself making a LOT of lists lately. I feel as if you were speaking directly to me in this post. It was the motivating factor I needed to get my goals set for tomorrow. Thanks!!
You are not alone! I can't tell you how much alike we are. I have the home management folder, but I often fall off the wagon when I get overwhelmed. I have gone days without showering myself. It's a mess. But with 5 kids sometimes all you can do is roll out of bed in the morning and collapse back into bed at night-if you actually make it to the bed. I just try to hit a few things on my daily chore list on those days. It helps me to not feel completely out of control. Good luck to you!
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