I like the article titled "The Time Thieves" in this week's Dollar Stretcher. Even though I like to think of myself as fairly efficient, improvements can be made! I'm guilty of doing some of those things at least part of the time.  What about you? Do you manage your time as well as you could? 

This was a very good article. Overall I do okay but spend way more time than I should on the computer. Some of its research but time gets away from me when I get caught up in emails and forums. I find myself becoming a passive participant in life. For example, I'm fascinated by the stitching website and all the new charts and goodies, but I have this huge project waiting to get done. The one thing they mentioned was delegating. I have trouble with that because I'm fussy about how I do certain things and I've discovered I won't satisfied unless I do it my self.

Interruptions and delegation are the two areas of the article that I found "rob" me of my time. Kiddos always interrupt any project, the phone rings, the doorbell rings, etc. Delegation is a personal flaw that I have at work and home. I have let go of some of the control at home b/c I realized it didn't matter how DH folded the towels or sheets or the boys' socks, IT WAS DONE! No one is going to get after me b/c my towels are not folded in thirds. Doesn't matter. Or if DH only likes to make hamburgers, he is making dinner!

However, at work, it's a lot harder b/c if something goes wrong, it is still my fault. I actually have gotten in trouble for delegating something--something I thought was delagable but a higher-up saw differently. This person was offended that I did not handle the project personally and did not like how the other person did the research. So delegating at work is a little bit harder for me.

 I'm very good at

 

 

 

procrastination.  

That's one of my strengths, too, Tracy!  

Sometimes I can do everything but the thing I need to, and some days I can just not get around to the things I need to do, no matter what.  Luckily, I don't have many of those days in a row, I usually can wake up and get things off the list after a procrastination day.  

Pat, at least I'm in good company. 

Interruptions a terrible problem for me for so many years it was just DH and I and the kids there wasnt any one else so we did everything

well now there Family and there always something but I have learned delegation only way we can operate with this family ,, 

latenightleader:

Sometimes I can do everything but the thing I need to, and some days I can just not get around to the things I need to do, no matter what.

 

I've found that if I make a list and put it where I'll see it as I start my day, it kind of helps kick start things. I look forward to crossing things off the list and also having the remainder of the day worry free if I get the main things done. Still, I blow it now and then. Some days I just don't look at the list.   

 It helps to break those to-do lists into smaller bits: rather than organize kitchen-->cleean out 3 drawers or cleean under sink.  Many tasks only take 5 or 10 minutes when broken into bits, rather than a 4 hour project.  It is motivating to see lots and lots bits crossed off the list rather than the BIG project that doesn't seem to get any attention.  This can be applied to all areas.  

Also, I like to use the carrot on the stick approach for myself: just complete a, b, c then you can use the computer for 30 minutes.  

Having a routine/schedule is also a help in time management.  

But I have room to improve, despite the above!  

 

rolo:

rather than organize kitchen-->cleean out 3 drawers or cleean under sink

Then again, move three boxes so you can USE the sink! 

All kidding aside, I think we all need to remember to break our tasks down so we don't go into overwhelm.