A couple weeks ago, Barrie asked me if I would do a post dedicated to how I manage my time. I told her I would do just that.
This one is for you girl!!
****ETA, I workout every other day. I walk a mile outside if it is nice. If not, I do it indoors on the treadmill or the elliptical machine. I try to do it first thing in the morning, but if not, it is done before noon****
In March of last year, I wrote THIS post about how I managed my time, and was still able to find time for my many hobbies.
Since that time, I have stopped working 8-5 but a lot of it remained the same. Below is how "I" get 'er done. I am NOT saying I am some guru of organizing or time management....this is just what works for me.
- I LIVE BY A LIST.
Now, I know some people can't do that but I THRIVE off of a list. I give my kids lists, and even Tony has a list (his list is his own personal stuff he wants to do around the house and outside, but he does not have or make a list every week) My lists are daily lists. Everyone else has a weekly list. Things they HAVE to have completed by Friday, so the weekends are free and clear.
- I DELEGATE.
My kids are 12, 8 and 6. They ALL have chores. I am NOT going to do all the work myself. Not only does it teach them to be responsible and adds more structure and discipline to their little lives.....it keeps me from working myself into the ground. I'm too cute for that. LOL The kids have been doing little things since they were smaller. Even Aj. When he was 3 he would help fold up towels. EVERYONE has a job. I am an equal opportunity chore giver.
- I PLAN.
I plan a whole lot. And I also plan in advance if I can. The biggest thing that saves me a lot of time, is planning out my menu. Wednesday evenings is meal planning time. ( I NORMALLY try to grocery shop on Thursday) The kids will go on Food Network or All Recipes.com and pick out stuff they want to try. I also have a ton of cook books that they will look in. But here is the thing. They each get to pick one thing, and it HAS to meet my approval. I plan my meals for seven days. NOW, I do not always cook everyday. Most times, but NOT always. So what ever isn't cooked will go into the next weeks menu. That way we are ALWAYS trying something new. I love that, and so does everyone else. Even with all that, sometimes I don't cook what I had planned. It just happens like that sometimes. You don't want it lol.
If I know I am going to have a busy day, I cook the night before or in the mornings. If I will be home, depending on what we are having, I try and have it finished before I pick up the kids from school. We are early eaters over here, so that works out well for us.
Now, since I no longer work a "regular" job, I can't have a jam packed mini marathon lunch. That's okay. I now do a lot of my errands while the kids are in school. I am an early bird, so once I drop them off, I head out to do what I need to do. My goal is to have everything done and be back home by noon on any given day when I am NOT having photography sessions. Since I have gotten busier with my photography, I have to amend that some.
SO FAR SO GOOD.I am planning all my sessions around the kids activities, and TRY to have them done before the kids get out of school. This does NOT always work. The other day I had to get my dad to pick them up for me because Tony was on 2nd shift and my session ran late. Yes, it threw me off but thankfully I was able to have my dad pick them up for me.
I can NOT leave my husband out of this. He is THE biggest help. Even though he works hard everyday, he will still come home some days and cook. On occasion I have "lazy days" if I have one, he will come in and just get it done. I love that about him. He is a HUGE help to me. HUGE. I couldn't do it without him.
- MY PHONE HELPS ME KEEP MY SANITY!
I have said it before and I will say it again. I LOVE MY PHONE. My phone holds ALL my appointments. EVERYTHING. Now I do have it in outlook but I sync my computer with my phone every night and I beam the info to my gmail so it is always there as well. This is the ONLY way I can keep up with everyone's stuff. Dr. Appointments, school stuff, my photography sessions. EVERYTHING. I would overbook myself and miss recitals if I did NOT have this. SERIOUSLY! If you have trouble keeping up with dates and you are always missing appointments, find a system that works for YOU. My phone works for me, a regular calendar might work for you. Find something and stick with it.
- I am VERY organized.
EVERYTHING has a place. EVERYTHING. I do NOT like things to be out of place. When I am busy in my studio, it will get junky! VERY. But I TRY and clean it up before I go to bed at night. That does NOT always happen. I know I have sent some of you pics with crap on the floor...just look over that stuff lol. That is just life lol. My house is not always pristine. It is however always presentable, welcome and comfortable. I often have drop by visitors lol.
My kids know that if their things aren't in the correct "home" it will get thrown away. Well not actually thrown in the garbage, but put in a garbage bag and they THINK I have thrown it away...so next time, it will get put up. They have seen me put PSP's in bag. YES I DID. Those things are NOT cheap...I don't want to step on it because YOU left it on the floor. I haven't seen it on the floor since ;-)
Normally when Tony is on 2nd shift, I get a lot of "me" stuff done. He isn't home for a while after the kids go to bed, so that is all my time. That is when I do a lot of my sewing, and scrapbooking. When I DO knit, it's in the bed at night or if I have some down time during the day...and in the line picking up the kids from school LOL. When he is on dayshift, I don't do a lot of that stuff until he goes to bed. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE LOL. If I am really into what I am doing, he won't say a word. He knows when I am in the zone lol. Other than that, in the evenings, we watch movies and stuff. We are both addicted to blockbuster! LOL
I really think that is all. This stuff is like second nature to me now, so I really don't even think about it anymore.
I hope it has helped someone in someway.
Here are a few sites that I LOVE for organizational tips!
JERI'S ORGANIZING & DE-CLUTTERING NEWS
Have a great day everyone!!!!
Toodles!!!
