Last week I issued a challenge: What would you do with ten extra hours per week, and what are you willing to give up this week to get those ten hours? So how's it going?
Did you watch less tv, leave work early, give up that boyfriend, engage in less compulsive web-surfing and messaging (as opposed to focussed, productive surfing on sites like AT ;) )? Or did you, like me, start out strong but slip into your old habits as the week wore on?
If you're in the remedial class when it comes to doing what you really want and giving up the dross, here are a few tips:
- Set reasonable daily goals. I've learned the hard way that if my to-do list is longer than will fit on one index card, it's not all going to get done.
- Be accountable. Boliyou puts her list out there for everyone to see. Try the One Word exercise as well.
- But, Beware of detours. Especially online, a five-minute task can turn into an hour as we follow links upon links.
- Do the most important thing first. That way, even if nothing else gets done, you'll feel like you've succeeded.
- Get a buddy. Somebody to hide the remote from you, call you to remind you to leave work, give you high-fives.
- Keep it simple. Trust me, you can spend a LOT of time devising systems to improve your productivity. Instead, try just doing the next thing on your list, and the one after that....
- Don't compare and despair. Those people who see to have it all together are probably just putting up a good front. Focus on what you want to achieve and let somebody else keep score.
- Celebrate small victories. If you acknowledge your progress instead of bemoaning your missteps, you'll be more motivated to keep going. Be your own best friend.
Today my goals are to finish this post, make a photo cd for a friend, and make spaghetti carbonara for my honey. I can do all that and still have time to check out the farmer's market across the street. How about you?
Photo credit: Erica Harris
10 No-Fail Decor Tricks & Tips for Small Spaces
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
this is exactly the encouragement i needed. i had such high hopes for a sudden improvement in my time management skills and when it all went to hell this week i just about gave in. i am the queen of spending all day making charts, lists, and graphs detailing the ways i am going to get my shit done, and then it never happens. i will try again...
There's an entire Shakespearean comedy in how my intention to purchase new succulents for the patio devolved into a heroic day-long quest across the southeastern suburbs for a new line of Homies. I have priorities -- they're just screwy.
Today's list:
--Finish book on international business.
--Wallpaper Miles & Theo's living room, as their house has been on the dining table for over a week now.
--Replace stock of faded casual knit tops with fresh ones that are modestly cut, made of natural fibers, youthful, and yet convey an indefinable air of menace. Rearrange bedroom closet accordingly.
I'd have this totally efficient, focused life if things never (a) needed cleaning or (b) wore out.
Wende - if clothes never wore out, the world would be stuck wearing whatever they bought when they became their current size, whether that's in high school, for many, or college, or whatever---and that could be just plain scary! We'd be able to pinpoint exactly when they came of age, so there'd be no foolin' for passing as younger or older.
Oh wait, we can often do that with their hair...
Seriously, though, I feel your pain. Got a big stack of laundry to get the hubby to do today. ;-) Good luck on the wallpapering!
I went on a bike ride, made pasta for lunch and plan on walking down to the Whole Foods on P Street for a week's worth of groceries.
Those people who have it all together may put on a good front, but often times they have a REALLY good support system.
I made a to-do list/chart and I made it for a week at a time. There is no way I can get everything on the list done is one day and still have a life worth living, but with it being a week long list, I can get everything on it done at least once. I staple a month's worth of charts together at a time and date each chart. That way if I keep putting off a chore, I can keep track how long it has been since I've done it. The frig hasn't been cleaned in over a month, lol, but at least I know how long its been.
I hate lists but I've noticed if I don't use the chart, things start to look rather ratty around here. Sometimes I stay up an hour or two later than I would have just to get a few more things done on my list. I go to work later so I still get the sleep I need and things that need to get done get done.
Doesn't work for everyone but it works for me.
well, i somehow found 17 (instead of 10) extra hours this week which i devoted to volunteering in an educational work.
i MADE myself get up at 6:30. & MADE myself eat lots of fresh fruits & veges (more than usual). i found that gave me more energy. & b/c i was outside doing productive things, by 9 i was tired so i didn't have to take sleep aides.
on top of this, i feel more fulfilled & am getting closer personal relationships. :D
so, for me, it wasn't really getting rid of something, i was about finding energy & motivation.
Just did the 'One word exercise'. Not so easy - tried not to use even hyphenated expressions. First I wrote the first word that came to mind for each prompt. In a separate list I wrote the second word that came to mind immediately. And in a third list, I allowed myself to idealize slightly, and write the one-word responses I'd like to be true in each line. I recommend doing all three of these. It quickly makes it very clear where you are, what you're thinking of things, and where you want to be. ... Now I'm feeling inspired enough to go accomplish a few things.... See you later!
- I watch less TV and fewer movies now
- I take public transit so I can read/listen to music more often
- I've combined my errands into a regular route and learned which are the least-busy days to shop (just asked the store clerks or store manager) and I no longer let a friend drag me along, after we've seen a movie or had lunch together, on any of her so-called 'quick errand' trips
- I limit my web surfing to essentials on a daily basis and then just a few times a week for what I call 'gemmelsmerch' (definition: a force that distracts the mind from what it wants to do or ought to be doing)
- I have checklists for the housework and give myself rewards for getting it done as quickly as possible (yes, rewards are usually chocolate based)
Today I had time to focus on making art, transplanting volunteer plants elsewhere in the garden, and reading Don Cheadle's book about Darfur. My goal is to get so well practiced at timechecking that I have time to install a hammock in the backyard (and actually use it!).
Getting about 1.5 hours more sleep a day.
Giving up a pillow was an easy sacrifice.
i would spend more time in love and in bed with the person i love, less time surfing and worrying, and trying to be spend more time just being
wende-you are so funny: "...and yet convey an indefinable air of menace." I understand perfectly.
Everyone: my favorite productivity site: http://zenhabits.net/
mariegael - I'm with you! I have stopped eating pretty much all meat except for fish (although I haven't had any for a while) just because all the rest made me feel really weighed down and too full - but for just a short amount of time (and not for moral values...). i've also started drinking 3 liters of water a day, and have started running one mile 3 times a week. it was really hard at first (and still is) to keep it up, but i feel SO much better in so many different ways. not only has my physical self image started getting better, i am psychologically more healthy and more able to get done what i need to get done. i also quit smoking cigarettes (1 month and 2 weeks!!) and i have a bazillion times more energy. it's amazing what small changes will do for you. i also started volunteering at a non-profit art gallery called Bare Hands Art Gallery here in town (that my friend actually started!) and the interaction with new people helps, as well. life can really be wonderful.
Oh heck...here's my "to do" list. I want to accomplish ALL of this before Wednesday morning.
1. return items to Marshalls
2. purchase groceries & gift cards for the housesitter
3. 2 big bags of potting soil @ Home Depot & repot yard plants
4. weed stopper sheeting for the ground (new gravel section)
5. at least 4 bags of gravel/small rocks (my goal is to get 12 bags by the end of the month)
6. start digging up the yard...
All of the small yard pictures have humbled me and gotten my butt in gear. Our yard in NYC is..sad. Time to start making it lovely. I spent the better part of Saturday using a "weed whacker" to mow it.
I worked (and taught) for Franklin Covey for years. I think that what I have read here are all very good ideas- just remember that it takes a while to get used to your new found organizational skills- we teach that it takes about 30 days to make your new skills a habit. So small slips and backslides should not discourage you and stop you from changing. It happens to everyone. Just try and do better the next day.
Whenever anyone tries to become more productive and organized they inevitably try to accomplish too much too soon. Do what is important to you first- and remember that not everything will be done in one day. You can always re evalute your list and assign that task or job to another day.
What exactly is the point of the one-word excercise?
I did it. Not sure what I was supposed to get out of it.
In March I put my television in the closet, and have not looked back since. Besides getting rid of the black hole in my apartment, I have created at least 2 hours a night during the week and the ENTIRE weekend, to be productive! I listen to npr for news. I still watch DVDs (I have a sweet Apple Cinema Display) and until the season was over I watched some shows online (Greys, Ugly Betty.) I have found that I have time to do EVERYTHING I want, from going to the gym, homework and I am creating art again instead of watching rerun upon rerun upon rerun.
It was VERY scary at first, but I have to say I really don't miss it :o)
shayna, I got rid of my tv in December and don't miss it 99% of the time and quickly get over it that last 1% of the time. Best thing I've done in ages.
I compulsively watch at least two hours of television per day so last week I got my hubby to install my new draperies by promising not to watch tv for one night. (In our teensy place my tv watching is disruptive to the whole family) It seemed like a small price to pay to get my new bedroom drapes up. It turned out that not only were the drapes installed but I had so much time on my hands that I ended up making homemade pretzels with my daughter. If anyone out there has ever made pretzels, it's about a 3 hour process, and I ended up getting a great rest since I went to bed exhausted! Now I'm scheming up all kinds of items I can bargain with my hubby on getting done. Not watching tv at all seems too extreme, so I'm going for the exra 2 hours per week instead of 10.
I'm quite disturbed by that ...printed... on a arm image
Lesley - it took me all day to realize the association.
Does quitting your job count?