Dear Revi,
In other words, how do I do it all?
I don't. :)
But I have a few tricks that keep me from getting buried alive.
The Power List
Here's my power list for today. I very vaguely list all the things I need to hit on somehow someway today, not including standards such as making dinner, etc. And if a time is critical, it's documented.
The trick with this is to hit on each item on the power list TODAY. So if I spend 2 hours on one thing, I take away time on another. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that I do a little of each thing on that list today, even if it's for a few minutes.
What this does is help me move forward rather than fall behind so I don't get buried alive.
Now know, my house is a mess, my lawn is a foot tall, and there's unfolded laundry on the floor as I type. While the growing mess around me can stress me out, I force myself to step over nests on the floor in order to get the power list done first.
Other stuff
Picture perfect photo shoots make a liar out of me
Photo shoots make me LAUGH. It's about the pretty shot, not what's behind the camera. All kinds of staging riff raff and stalled creative brainstorms are tossed everywhere. Pallet on the sofa? Totally the norm. And general mess.
My most recent yard reveal nearly ruined me... I did that shoot so many times over because I couldn't land the shots. (lawn too long, too sunny, too dreary, weeds...) I finally left the clippers and hose ON the lawn until I nailed it. We won't even talk about the parts of the yard I didn't include... not pretty.
Preplan and Preschedule
Other things that help me meet deadlines are to hack at them bit by bit earlier.
ie: Every Friday I have a link party called Sat Nite Special that goes up by 7pm pacific. I start a new post on Monday and hack at it while time allows, then prechedule it by Thurs. When SNS goes live tomorrow, I'll be walking into a local Starbucks with my laptop for my pumpkin spiced latte while my son is in basketball. Pretty smooth, huh?
How to preschedule a post in blogger: draft, then look below for POST OPTIONS. Try it out you little sneak you... :)
Delegate
My 12 yr old son actually helps. He has certain duties he's responsible for. Cleaning his own room, vacuuming and washing the truck, unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, mowing the lawn, taking down the garbage are standards.
Multitask
If I can do at least two things at once, it's good times. Before I cook, I'll check to see if I can fill up the washing machine. While I cook, I'll have my son fold the laundr. My fav? While I DIY I have my son cook. >:) You get some pretty interesting meals but I never complain. I want him to experiment and be as proud of himself as I am of him. :)
When I blog
I attempt to play on the blog / net while my son is in school, bed or otherwise occupied. I also check in while I cook dinner. For when I start writing, I zone the world out. It's for this reason I stay up WAAAY too late. I'm workin' on it... :)
Special Days
Career Day Friday
Once a week I've established a Career day. This means I work on something within my passion while my son is in school. I'm self employed so I plan my work around this one and attempt Fridays if possible. All too often we're working full-time at jobs we don't WANT to do yet don't make the time to build what we DO want to do. I'm too committed to let this one go. I LOVE career day and no, it does not feel like work. :)
Career day may be visit a thrift store for new stock, write, do a DIY, work on a room, work on the biz side of the blog, etc. What's to hate?!
Career day may be visit a thrift store for new stock, write, do a DIY, work on a room, work on the biz side of the blog, etc. What's to hate?!
Chore day Saturday
We call every Saturday 'chore day'. Once my head clears from the AM fog, we roll up our sleeves and with shovels in hand, start making this joint nest free! And don't stop until we can wash the floors. Sometimes we fail, especially if I'm working on a project. But I sure regret it if we don't do it. So it's a priority.
Family Day Sunday
Sundays are family day. I switch my head off of all things work and blog, and we RESET at the AM church service. And then allow the wind to blow us where we land. And if we wish to do our separate things for a bit, that's ok too! But we attempt to make an effort to do something together, whatever that may be.
I can't nor do I desire to do it all. But if it appears like I do, I must be doing something right! :)
What are your chosen methods of survival in doing it all?
Seems like you have a good system down for how you manage you weeks. I'm working on doing the same thing. It's hard to fit everything in sometimes though.
ReplyDeleteI make lists. This year I bought a "teacher" schedule book - it lists each day by the hour. I plan my week and post those things I have to do at the "hour" time slot. I also add the stuff I "would like to do." If I don't finish - I do stop and move on the the next hour. I figure at least I did a potion of it. So far, I'm loving this new calendar - keeps me focused down to each hour.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post Donna! I always like hearing that other people have crazy lives to! :) I'm not alone! ha Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm so glad that your house seems exactly like my house - only your remodeling is where I want to be and I'm still stuck in the chaos of all the rehab stuff - in Every. Single. Room. :) I've chosen to overlook the stuff I can't do anything about right now and work on the things I can. That's how I deal. And when it really starts getting to me, I get out... Go outside. Do something with the kids. Go for a walk. Go have a coffee or even go for a drive. And when it really, really gets to me - I pray for patience. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Donna,
ReplyDeleteRevi here again! Glad to be a tad useful today. :) As a list maker, I totally appreciate your scheduling and prioritizing. I'm also glad to hear I'm not alone when I photograph a project and it looks all nice and tidy, and behind me is a mess of drop cloths, spray paint cans, etc! I think this is one of the nicest perks of blogging - communicating with others who are on the same page!
Blessings and thanks,
-Revi
If I ever appear to do it all, it's only because I work on my blog posts WAY ahead. I have weeks of them done and scheduled! I do a little bit here and there - I schedule nearly every minute of my day, not to be weird and crazy, but to keep myself on task and moving - I get distracted easily! I also am able to do 20-30 minutes of blogging at a time and get posts done little by little! I do a lot in a day, but I also have a Friday like yours where I just keep it open to do things that need to be done. Thanks again, Donna!
ReplyDeleteBecky B.
www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
Another great inspiring post Donna. It's nice to know that there are things going on behind the scenes of perfection. :-) I selectively take pictures all the time.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend ~ FlowerLady
Donna ~ Thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom on how you do it all ~
ReplyDeleteI have never been a list person but that is a great idea to do a power list!
Your son is a sweetheart! It sounds like you are doing an awesome job being a mommy and he is going to be a great husband someday!!
xoxo
Lori
What I love about your Power List is the looseness and adaptability of it. Awesome. I'm not a to-do lister...but this might be one I could adopt. I think I do that mentally already, but it would probably help to write it down.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have it down to a system. I sometimes find the busier I am the more organized I am. When my kids were I had alot to get done and little time. It all works out. I don't get nearly as much done now. You do amaze me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for laying on some truth and giving us a reality check. {I can point to your post to let hubby know I'm not the only one who leaves staging props sitting there for the 'right light'!} I like the idea of the power list and a little progress each day. Doesn't have to be finished and perfect... just take some action toward that vision.
ReplyDelete