I can’t begin to tell you how much I have appreciated your feedback on what I should do with this blog and website. I think going away last week, returning to an overwhelming amount to do, and the feeling that I can’t possibly keep up was eating away at me. I always feel I should be a positive example to people, but sometimes I need to show the more human side of myself. I have read all of your comments and emails and they mean so much. Maybe I just needed to hear that it was going to be fine if I didn’t have something fresh and new every single day. I worry about the loss in traffic and readers, when I should worry more about the priorities in my own life.
Here is to a new direction and a new outlook on time management. As encouraged by you, I am going to try and explore better time management and share with you my journey in this. I am struggling with my day and I know other people must struggle with this too. There is just so much to do and we only have so many hours in the day. Where do we start? How do we manage our days better so that we can get things done without the feelings of being tapped out?
I found a book at the library called, “How Did I Get So Busy?” by Valorie Burton. This book is a 28-day plan to “free your time, reclaim your schedule, and reconnect with what matters most.” Ironically, the book caught my eye when I was looking for something else, and I just knew I needed to grab it. I plan to read this and share about reclaiming some of my time and encourage you to pick up the book too! Check and see if you can get it at your local library.
The very first section has a test to see how busy you are. Give yourself 1 point for each statement that you identify with:
Too Busy Test
I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up at work.
I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up with personal responsibilities.
My life feels out of balance.
My breathing right now is shallow.
I am regularly late to appointments and scheduled activities.
There’s rarely a break in my schedule.
My shoulders are not relaxed right now.
I eat lunch at my desk at least once per week.
I sometimes work straight through lunch.
I have not had a vacation longer than seven days in the last year.
A seven day vacation? I have never had one of those.
I have not gotten together with friends for fun and conversation in over a month.
Keeping up with household chores is a struggle because of time constraints.
I am dissatisfied with the amount of quality time I am able to spend with my spouse or significant other.
I am dissatisfied with the amount of quality time I am able to spend with my child.
I don’t take time to exercise.
I resent the things I do for family or friends because I have little or no time for myself.
The fuel light in my car has come on at some point in the last two months because I have not had time to fill it up.
My mail is piled up because I haven’t had time to open or sort it.
I have missed paying a bill on time in the last three months because I was too busy to notice the due date had passed.
I sometimes run out of socks, jeans, or other laundry items because I haven’t had time to do the laundry.
I don’t have time to write thank-you notes.
My to-do list rarely gets completely checked off for the day.
I work late more than once per week.
At least once per week, I skip meals because I am too busy.
How Busy Are You?
1-5 Points- Busy
Your schedule is challenging at times, but you are managing to get by. A few small changes will make a big difference towards helping you to take complete control of your time.
6-10 Points- Too Busy
Either life is becoming increasingly too busy for you, or you’ve been managing to get by but are starting to lose control. By taking action over these next 28 days, you can finally take charge of your schedule and decrease the stress that has been building.
11-16 Points- Too Busy & Frustrated
Life has been hectic for awhile and if you don’t slow down soon and become more intentional about where and how you focus your time, you will soon burn out. It is essential that you begin to take steps now so you can get your life back.
17-25 Points- Out of Control
From the author, “I understand. I’ve been there. And it’s possible for you to transform how you live so that your schedule is aligned with what’s most important to you. It may require some big changes, but remember that change is about making choices.”
I am looking forward to diving in on the first chapter of this. Time management is a tough issue for me and not one I have ever mastered. I have little sleep and exist a lot on my coffee addiction. I don’t exercise, I don’t take that great of care for myself, I sometimes feel as though I am “coasting” when it comes to managing the house and housework. I basically do as little as I have to do right now to keep up with this side business and that isn’t what my intentions were in the beginning. It is comforting to know that I am not alone and here I am, exposing myself to you (in a totally G-Rated kind of way!)
My score was a 17 on this quiz. I am wondering if I am alone? Where are you at on this quiz?
I scored 14. I guess we’re overachievers!
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after last week’s travel. I’ve spent more time than I want to admit trying to re-consolidate all my son’s puzzles. Laundry lurks in most closets and mail sits unopened.
Next week will be easier than this one.
[Reply]
the book sounds like a good read. I hit a 20.
With my mil’s sickness and death, taking care of my fil and cooking and his house, then cooking for my parents, the farm, my mix business, hubby’s new job hours (16 a day usually), the twins hitting 2 and all of their health issues and all of the female and anemia problems of mine, not to mention all of the activites we are involved in, the usual home, car and yard upkeep and add in spring cleaning…. it’s been a little stressful around here.
It will get better. I’m hanging on to Phil.4:13. “I can do all things through him which strengthens me.”
We can do this Amy!!! Blessings on you sweet friend!
[Reply]
I was 17 also……now if only I could find time to go to the library…..
[Reply]
Marva- You are (and will continue to be) my superwoman. I seriously stand in amazement at all you do. I am praying for your family!
Adrienne- You are right, I am sure it all seems overwhelming after returning home to all of this stuff
Amber- HA! Yes, making time to go to the library, that would have to be somewhere on the priority list
[Reply]
I’m just a 6. Lucky me!
[Reply]
There’s nothing like a vacation to take the fun out of work and everyday stuff.I’m always rushed, stressed, behind schedule, overworked, etc. I think that all of us have some family problems, like ill parents, or busy schedules, etc. I just take it a day at a time. There’s always tomorrow! I wouldn’t worrry too much about how you feel now, it’s just a part of life and something that is natural. We all have those days. I’m sure that even Martha Stewart feels like hiding behind a rose bush sometimes. Just take a deep breath, do something fun for yourself, hug the kids and hubby, and remember-there’s alwways tomorrow! Begin each day new. You’ll be fine,I promise. You know we all love you!
[Reply]
Don’t worry about losing me as a reader, I have you on my pageflakes, so I usually just do a scan to see what’s new! I scored a 15, but this is actually not my busy season (at work) I can’t imagine having taken the quiz a week ago! I would have been off the charts!
[Reply]
Oh crap, I’m an 18 and I’m not even NEARLY as important or influential as you. Boy did you hit the nail on the head with this post. The important thing is you know enough to sit down and re-evaluate! I so need to work on that.
[Reply]
Hey Amy – I didn’t actually score myself because how do you gauge the “at work” questions since we work at home?!
And, my library does not have this book – so I’ll look forward to hearing what you are gleaning from it.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed and I just want you to know that you are NOT alone! I think sometimes on our blogs, we want to be uplifting and positive, but let’s face it – life isn’t always like that! Thank you for being real!
Love you, my friend!
Monica
[Reply]
Sigh. I’m a 17.
I’ve actually been really feeling this latley, and knowing that I need to make some changes. I haven’t read your thoughts on your website ,though I will go and try to find them now.
I’m finding it challenging to keep up with mine, and the work that I’ve been doing on it lately. The extra work is nearing it’s end, but then there’s my garden that needs to be tilled and planted, and the Shutterfly photo book coupons I bought that have to be used within a week, and then there’s the children’s and my wardrobes which desperately need cleaning out and reorganizing… I get tired thinking of project after project that needs to be done.
Thanks for the really good reminder that I need to address this issue. I needed it.
[Reply]
Monica- I actually was applying the work questions to my “work” on the website since that is my work. I could also have applied it to my homemaking job too, if that is what you feel fits better with you and what you are needing help with!
Stephanie- I understand, the projects can be all-consuming, can’t they? If I start making a mental list, I can lose my mind
I will share as much as I can about this book for those who can’t get it from the library!!
[Reply]
I scored a 17 as well. It’s funny, having a one year old has defintely increased the chaos in my life, and sometimes the stress gets the best of me-but at the same time, my daughter helps ground me and reminds me that many of the things I am stressing over aren’t that important in the long run.
I am definitely going to check and see if my library has this book, and look forward to your feedback after reading it. It is definitely helpful to trade time management tricks/advice as we all probably could learn from each other and I am finding what worked for me prebaby isn’t working now.
In the meantime, I’m attempting to gain control and clarity through my planner. I find listing everything out helps me prioritize and when things get overwhelming it is easier to prioritize (and postpone or eliminate) when everything is written out in front of me.
[Reply]
Awww, bless your heart–it is not a fun feeling to feel so overwhelmed and obligated at times. My blog is my journal of my daily life as a wife and mother, and well sometimes it just happens that I can’t blog:) But then I will blog the next day about why I couldn’t blog, and a year from now, I will look in my archives to read all about what my family was up too:) I hope this book helps you, beacause you have a very nice blog
Have a great Monday evening.
Julieann:)
[Reply]
I scored 13. Much of my stress comes from home life and blogging/writing work. My full time job is actually pretty easy-going. Seems backwards, doesn’t it?
I’m glad you received some valuable feedback in yesterday’s post. That’s the great thing about blogging – it provides an awesome community between authors, readers and other bloggers. We can all use a pick-me-up from one another every now and then!
[Reply]
Amy,
Interesting how similar this is to the quiz about being in a hurry! I scored only a 5 on this, but the main items I noted were that sometimes I don’t want to take the “time” to take a deep breath (what is THAT?!) and also carrying tension in my shoulders. A massage sounds pretty darn good right now!
That book sounds really interesting. Thanks for being willing to share with us what you’re learning!
[Reply]
eeeeeeew! By posting this, you’ve forced me to really recognize how crazy life is right now. : ) How ironic: I just posted a series on time management a little bit ago. LOL Well, we can always use more help.
It is so tought to keep life in balance!
Thank you for all do with keeping this site up.
Take Care,
Trixie
[Reply]
I scored a 10 — hovering on the cusp of out of control. I need to reevaluate some time management issues, too!
[Reply]
I only scored an 8, mostly because my work is so part time. But I know I”m busier than the 8 shows because I sure could use the massage Carrie mentioned, I have had a gift certificate from my hubby to get one for almost a year and still haven’t found the time to call for the appointment. YIKES!
[Reply]
What a great post. My husband is always accusing me of being well too busy but I only got a score of 11. Will have to retake the test during my busy week- the first week of each month. And next September will all of my things and new committments start rolling.
[Reply]
Now this is nuts…I'm too busy to take this quiz. LOL! No, seriously, every one is trying to "balance" their life – I say, "Blend." There may not be balance all the time …but make sure you do what is important and blend your life so it is what your love!
[Reply]