Week fourteen of the SYL Challenge, is all about Time Management and Planning. One of my favourite subjects!!! I think generally I plan too much J But, I feel more in control and calmer if I have planned. I plan big things like holidays right down to housework..... mmm yes I am telling the truth, I quite often plan and write lists for my housework, which is a little silly as I undertake the same tasks........ BUT I feel I have to plan otherwise I might miss something!!! My (over)planning can sometimes make my family laugh, especially as I rewrite the same list over and over in preparation for something....... and the worst thing is, even as I am rewriting(updating) these lists, I think to myself “why can’t I just cross each item of the list.......” Arghhhh so hopefully, by working through this week’s challenge I may lighten up J
As I am already a BIG planner, this week was quite easy, but I gained a lot of knowledge and ideas from Deb, and these ideas will definitely make my life easier! I love the idea of a ‘Monster List’ and a ‘Brain Dump’.
So, that is where I started. I sat down and wrote a monster list for 2012 and then, relooked at my goals to see if they were similar.... they were close, but my monster list sounded more fun and more rounded! My goals were more like what I have to achieve, and the monster list was perhaps what I might like to do.....
I then broke everything down to monthly, weekly and daily tasks...... This was quite easy and really makes everything feel more attainable.
In doing all of these lists (which I actually said in week 6 I wanted to stop doing!!!) I was able to better organise my already quite organised calendars and my head space.
The main thing I took away from Deb’s tips was that it’s ok to still have a paper diary even though we have the technology at our fingertips. I love having a paper diary, but because everyone uses their phone I always felt funny or different getting out my diary..... So thank you Deb for pointing out that IT’S OK!!!! I have now filled out my diary and it’s all up to date YAY!!!
I have set a few extra goals to maintain these weekly and daily lists, and the main one is to make sure I keep my family organiser, my phone diary and now paper diary all up to date and in sync, so I don’t over book or forget something. And to get back into Meal Planning. I really love monthly meal planning and I know it makes my life so much easier, but for some reason - I will blame the school hols :) - I have let this slip and not kept up with it.
I feel more in control after this week’s challenge, and I feel as though we are organised..... even though we have a very chaotic life!! Bring on time management next week as I think I could learn A LOT!!!!!
