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Monday, December 3, 2007
Where Does Your Time Go?
Like all of us, I just experienced a week that seemed to fly by, and I wondered what did I DO all week?. Im feeling a bit behind the 8 ball. So I reviewed my past week to see how I actually spent my time. I had some surprises. Try it yourself.
Categorize in broad categories all your past weeks activities. As an example my categories were:
1. Domestic stuff (cooking, cleaning, gardening, any home projects)
2. Self-care (exercise, maintaining wardrobe, anything that makes me feel and look better)?
3. Work (I divided it up into marketing, organizing or coaching clients, learning, and administrative)
4. Family/friends?
5. Volunteer activities?
6. Creative (for me thats playing my guitar)
7. Relaxing (reading, watching TV, and chatting with my husband)
Then, estimate how much time you spent in each of the categories. Youll probably find that when you add up the hours, there are many hours that are unaccounted for, not counting sleep and eating.
I discovered that I spent a lot of time doing things that needed to be done, but werent necessarily the most important things, (like washing windows, getting winter clothes out of storage, phone calls). I also had many meetings.
I asked myself: looking back over my week, what portion of my time was spent on the things that are TRULY important to me, and what portion was spent on things that I told myself needed to be done at that particular time?
I found that one thing truly important to me (playing my guitar) was only done once during the whole week. I also missed one day of exercise, which is an important thing for me.
I did not do much marketing for my business, although I did do a lot of networking, which is a way of marketing. Did I waste time? Yes, mostly at my computer, getting sucked into the internet. Did I spend some quality time with friends and family? Yes, particularly with my grand daughter and friends Friday night. I also spent a portion of my week organizing and coaching my clients, which brings me joy.
I also learned that I tried to pack too much into the week. I learned I actually did quite a lot, but needed to be more careful not to fritter away the windows of time that were open.
So, when I plan my week ahead, Im going to put in RED letters the most important things I need (and want) to do, so the week wont mysteriously slide by. Im also going to make my daily to- do list as short as I can, and put an asterisk by two items that are MOST IMPORTANT to me, even if they are not the most compelling at the moment.
Now please dont ask me about the things I didnt finish. Im just going to throw up my arms and, as Ben Zander advises, and say how fascinating!. I recommend Ben and Roz Zanders book The Art of Possibility. Even if you didnt get everything done last week, and wasted some time, give yourself an A and learn how to plan better for the upcoming week.
Remember to take time to enjoy the outside, no matter what the weather. The change in air and scenery is revitalizing.
Patsy Murray is a Professional Organizer and organizing coach working with clients in Watertown, Massachusetts and the greater Boston area. She organizes homes and home offices of people who feel overwhelmed by too many commitments and too much clutter. She helps them manage their time and simplify their lives so they can work more efficiently with more time to enjoy life. For free organizing tips, visit Patsy's website, http://www.simplelifeorganizers.com
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